14k white gold or platinum?

[vsp08]

Hi all,

I was just wondering what the major differences (pros/cons) are between 14k white gold and platinum. I had my diamond set in a simple 14k white gold solitaire setting but am wondering if I should re-set it in platinum (in a similar setting). My main concern is that I don't want my band to yellow. I would appreciate any advice!

 

[Cantab]

Hi, Will skip the terminology and keep it simple.

Platinum > Gold at holding a Dimond in place,
Gold > Platinum at resisting scratches,

Gold will fade over time, Platinum will not
Gold can be fixed and restored to original colour, Platinum can not...but rarely need too anyways.
Gold rings can be re sized much easier.

A Platinum ring in general is about double the price of a 14K gold ring.
Unless you have a cunning trade in / exchange plan, I would not consider making the change at all. Even if you can do the change over for ~$500 I personally wouldn't.

 

[MarionC]

My 2 cents: I have heard that 14k can be more brittle which would result in chipping a prong, but my jewelry designer said that so many settings are cast, that the metal type doesn't matter in this regard. When platinum is worn over time the metal looks like dull pewter [grey]. 14k can easily & inexpensively be replated to restore the original appearance. In my book, 14k is a great choice.

 

[Laila619]

Platinum is much heavier and more durable. It stays white and never needs plating. Gold actually wears away/loses metal over the years, whereas platinum does not.

 

[vsp08]

Thank you so much for the responses! I found them all to be very helpful. I guess it's simply a matter of preference. I do love the look of a newly re-plated white gold ring.

 

[LetItShine]

My solitaire is 18k white gold. It isn't rhodium plated but instead has a white alloy and I'm told it won't yellow or need to be rhodium plated. I've only had it for 4 months but so far it still looks brand new. My ring before was platinum and I really didn't care for the patina.

 

[kalomeli]

My ring is platinum and I love the patina! It shows that it has been worn (with love).

One of platinum's perks is that it's also hypoallergenic. I'm very allergic to nickel so most of gold alloys in the US will cause a reaction and unfortunately palladium alloys are not very common. Also palladium is one choice: it has the looks of platinum but it's cheaper and when comparing our bands (me and FI) his has stayed in better condition than my platinum ring.

 

[bgray]

My ring is platinum and I love the patina! It shows that it has been worn (with love).

One of platinum's perks is that it's also hypoallergenic. I'm very allergic to nickel so most of gold alloys in the US will cause a reaction and unfortunately palladium alloys are not very common. Also palladium is one choice: it has the looks of platinum but it's cheaper and when comparing our bands (me and FI) his has stayed in better condition than my platinum ring.

My e-ring and bands are all platinum. Most of my jewelry is primarily platinum and I love the patina. I recently purchased an 18k white gold bracelet with palladium alloy. Supposedly it doesnt need plating or dipping due to the alloy. I will be interested to see how it wears.

 

[bliss_cathy]

Platinum.

You'll need to rhodium plate white gold

Platinum will polish up to look brand new again (with a professional polish) and still look nice without the polish.

White gold without the rhodium won't look as good.

 

[bcavitt]

Love platinum, but do the head holding the center stone in white gold. While platinum is much more durable than gold, it is more pliable than gold. When you hit a platinum prong, it will bend and loosen the center stone. Can't begin the number of people who come in every month or so to have their center stone tightened because the platinum prong was slightely bent.

 

[Ashleigh]

Love platinum, but do the head holding the center stone in white gold. While platinum is much more durable than gold, it is more pliable than gold. When you hit a platinum prong, it will bend and loosen the center stone. Can't begin the number of people who come in every month or so to have their center stone tightened because the platinum prong was slightely bent.

Does it matter if wg or platinum is used if the head is bezeled? Thank you

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Love platinum, but do the head holding the center stone in white gold. While platinum is much more durable than gold, it is more pliable than gold. When you hit a platinum prong, it will bend and loosen the center stone. Can't begin the number of people who come in every month or so to have their center stone tightened because the platinum prong was slightely bent.

Brian, I would really disagree with this having had a solitaire with a white gold head for 30 years. The wg prongs are more brittle and can break more easily, and in my case, the prong tips wore away over time because you lose metal with white gold. That caused a much greater risk of actually losing a stone. I had to have my ring retipped which just isn't necessary with platinum. I also had a prong pulled away from the diamond once and I was just lucky to have noticed it before the stone fell out.

I highly favor platinum now. I would have no patience with rhodium plating white gold on a ring. BUT, there are alloys of platinum that are harder and more durable than the standard 95plat/5iridium that you commonly see. I ALWAYS request either 90plat/10iridium or 95plat/5ruthenium. My rings are shiny and show very little patina especially on surfaces that face up and never are rubbed against anything. If you prefer shiny, then a polish every few years is all you need and you won't lose metal like you do with gold.