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14K, 18K, or Platinum? - Please Assist - need quick help!

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sbrickman

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 21, 2009
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I believe I have everything wrapped up with my ring,and need to place the final order today (in order to get it in time for the proposal) but just trying to decide on the metal and if the cost is worth it to go from one level to the next:

The prices for the ring:

14k white gold $6121

18k white gold: $6171

Platinum: $6421

So question is, is the price difference and the benefits worth it to upgrade from one type of metal to the other.

Thank you!
 
I would go for the Pt as the price difference is not that great. Replating is a hassel and the cost will build up depending on how often you need to replate.
 
platinum is so distinctive--the weight and durability is so wonderful that i would pay the difference if it was doable
 
realistically how often do you need to replate a ring that is worn for normal use? I did not think it would be that many times. Am I missing something?
 
i have heard people say it is rather frequent-if i was going with white gold i wouldnt even have it plated. too much trouble.
 
depends on body chemistry from what I have heard. some people replates as often as once a year and others almost never...
 
sorry I am asking so many questions.... is the look of platinum that much difference then white gold? (did not think it was) also can you tell from looking the difference from 14k to 18k (if not what is the benefit to going higher, besides more the sheer fact of more quanity of gold)
 
No question - platinum!

Some people replate their white gold rings every few months to half a year depending on how their body reacts. Others can be a few years.
 
Date: 1/28/2009 10:49:05 AM
Author: sbrickman
sorry I am asking so many questions.... is the look of platinum that much difference then white gold? (did not think it was) also can you tell from looking the difference from 14k to 18k (if not what is the benefit to going higher, besides more the sheer fact of more quanity of gold)
Click to expand...

Read this article, there''s picture provided for some of the metals, alloy you are interested in.
 
Does anyone know what the average cost of replating a ring would be? , do you ever have to replate a platinum ring?, but if you think about for the initial additional cost of $250.00 , i guess it it cost around a 100.00 (just a guess) each time replating, then it would basically pay for itself in just two times. Does that make sense?
 
I''ve had my white gold ring for two years now and wear it everyday and it still hasn''t need replating - a good polishing makes it look like new! And my jeweler replates all rings for free if you purchased from him.
 
Platinum isnt plated and never needs anything (can be polished to shine up if desired). It does look different. Its whiter (and grayer). White gold still has a warm quality to it


OTE]Date: 1/28/2009 10:56:06 AM
Author: sbrickman
Does anyone know what the average cost of replating a ring would be? , do you ever have to replate a platinum ring?, but if you think about for the initial additional cost of $250.00 , i guess it it cost around a 100.00 (just a guess) each time replating, then it would basically pay for itself in just two times. Does that make sense?[/quote]
 
Date: 1/28/2009 10:55:52 AM
Author: Stone-cold11
Date: 1/28/2009 10:49:05 AM


Read this article, there''s picture provided for some of the metals, alloy you are interested in.
Click to expand...


That was a great article, thank you for the reference. However still have questions...lol So my understanding is that Platinum does not need replating, but would require polishing. With polishing a platinum ring, do you need to pay someone to do this (if so how much) or is it something we could do at home?
Click to expand...
 
Pt will develop a patina finish from wear over time. Most of us just keep that finish.
 
platinum doesnt REQUIRE polishing--it may be desired if one prefers a shiny polished finish. it develops a matte patina with wear as does ANY metal-via wear, minor scratching etc
 
For that price difference I''d go with platinum if you like it.
 
Well the price difference is not that much in the big picture, and it sounds like the upkeep cost of the white gold will surpass the $250.00 fairly quickly. So from a purely math standpoint it seems to make sense to go with platinum. I know she wanted platinum but would of been ok with white gold. So I guess she will get another surprise!

Thank you everyone!
 
I prefer the whiteness of white gold over platinum, it's just a personal thing. If you go white gold though, definitely go 18K. I think the charge for replating WG is about $60 where I live. I'm not sure how often I will have to rhodium plate, but no more often than once a year, if that. But that's a body chemistry issue that can be different for everyone. There would be a charge for polishing platinum. I don't like the platinum patina, so I'd be polishing probably once a year.

Oops, posted after you. Sounds like a great choice since she prefers platinum and the price diff is so low now.
 
They said their platinum is 950 ruthenium, is that ok?
 
Date: 1/28/2009 12:30:07 PM
Author: sbrickman
They said their platinum is 950 ruthenium, is that ok?
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I vote for Platinum as well.. Isn''t most Plat, 950 Ruthenium?
 
In the article I linked to, it has the properties of Pt/Ru. I think it is a good alloy to use.

Quoted from the article.

Pt950/Ru (950 parts platinum, 50 parts Ruthenium) is very hard. It has the highest melting temperature of all platinum alloys and is difficult to cast. Darker gray in color than platinum-iridium, it is less malleable, hard to solder and weld and hard to burnish. Bench workers find it tough on burs, files and drills. Some setters recommend it for diamonds only, since more pressure must be imposed on gemstones during the setting process. It is extremely scratch & bend-resistant and extremely resistant to signs of wear over time.
Click to expand...
 
Go with the platinum. Definitely worth it given the very small price difference. Much easier upkeep and no worries about developing possible allergies.
 
I don''t like the grayish platinum turns and I''ve heard MANY times that it scratches much more easily - however, if you have lots of diamonds on the shank - I guess it doesn''t matter.

I much prefer white gold, even if I have to replate it every year. I love the shine it has.

Also - platinum is heavier and I don''t like real heavy rings that I have to wear all the time. But I''m pretty sensitive to weight I found out!
 
OOOPSIE... so sorry, didn''t realize you had made your decision. Ignore my last reply and congrats. Can''t wait to see it!
 
Ok settled on the platinum (this ring has become more and more expensive each day...lol)

On a different note, they jeweler offers to do an appraisal for $50.00, and it sounds like a good deal because other places here locally charge 100.00 and I really would only need it for insurance purchases.

But then I get to thinking that it might be wise to get it appraised from an different appraiser to verify the everything is what it is supposed to be. The stones are GIA laser inscribed so is something that I could just go and get checked to verify the stones match the gia report and save myself $50.00 bucks from getting an appraisal from a different co.
 
CANNOT go wrong wiht platinum in my opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (for the record I have never replated my whitegold and I wear it 24/7 - so it definitely depends)
 
Good job on choosing the Platinum, you definitely cannot go wrong with it. Not only is it a more enduring material than white gold, but it also hold the gems in the ring a lot more securely. And since it is naturally white its going to make the diamonds look amazing. The price difference is worth it because you are getting a lot more precious metal for your money. Platinum is as pure as it comes, you can tell by how heavy it is. I recently purchased a platinum engagement ring for my girlfriend, I''m proposing over the weekend!
Congratulations on your decision, don''t forget to post pictures!
Good Luck!
 
Glad you went with the platinum, especially since that''s what she wants.



Date: 1/28/2009 1:27:14 PM
Author: sbrickman
Ok settled on the platinum (this ring has become more and more expensive each day...lol)


On a different note, they jeweler offers to do an appraisal for $50.00, and it sounds like a good deal because other places here locally charge 100.00 and I really would only need it for insurance purchases.


But then I get to thinking that it might be wise to get it appraised from an different appraiser to verify the everything is what it is supposed to be. The stones are GIA laser inscribed so is something that I could just go and get checked to verify the stones match the gia report and save myself $50.00 bucks from getting an appraisal from a different co.
Click to expand...

I would not pay $50 for an appraisal from the shop you''re buying the ring at. I would think they should give you an insurance valuation for free. If not, your receipt for purchase might be enough for insurance. If you''re going to pay for an appraiser, I''d pay an independent one. See the link under resources on the upper right of the page.

Perhaps others more knowledgeable about appraisals will give their opinion?
 
Thank you all so very much for all the info.....you have no idea the help you have provided.


Any other feedback on the appraisal issue?
 
I would go with an independent appraisal just to be sure that it not only matches the GIA report, but that it was not damaged in any way since the report was done. It''s worth the $100. Doing it through the same jeweller is a waste of money IMO, as they might inflate the price and you''ll end up paying more for insurance then.
 
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