Platinum or 18k White Gold

[JT]

First, I would like to say what a great site this is. I have been "lurking" for about three months and have learned a lot of great information in that short time.

Now, I'm just a few weeks away from making that big purchase and I have one concern; Platinum or 18K White gold.

I have done some research and although Platinum is extremely beautiful it tends to scratch easy and cannot be buffed out like white gold. The particular ring I am looking at has long smooth surfaces which seems to make it a perfect candidate for scratches. How easy is it to scratch platinum and am I correct in thinking this ring would scatch easily?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Here is the ring...

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

JT: Glad to see your First Post Here.

To answer your question. I bought my Wife Regina a custom Platinum Band for her engagement ring. Plaitnum is beautiful, but it does scratch easier and seems to pick up nicks easier compared to the white gold setting she also has. Platinum is unsurpassed in beauty and can have that "Rich" silky look to it, but every medium has it''s trade offs. From what I have seen from everyday use in both Platinum and White Gold I would choose 18K White Gold hands down for durability. Regina is also a active woman and she might be more prone to picking up scratches or dings here and there. Her White Gold ring hasn''t flinched though..

Good Luck and let us know what you decide on...Including the Diamond..

 

[JT]

This is tuff. Even though my GF is one of those over-the-top kind of carefull women, I still think It would be better to go with White gold in the long run. The thing is the setting in platinum is only $150 more than white gold.

I am looking at a 1.01 E SI2 Princess cut diamond.

Thanks for the advice!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Actually, platinum can be repolished back to it''s original luster anytime without losing metal. Gold does wear down over time and white gold will have to be rhodium plated to stay shiny and white. So both have advantages and disadvantages. Good Old Gold has a very good comparison chart on their site.

 

[gailrmv]

If the platinum is only $150 more, I would get it hands down. if there was a bigger price difference I would be more on the fence. I have a similar ring to that and love it! Mine is platinum. It is very heavy and it feels very high quality and durable. It does pick up scratches more easily than other white gold rings that i have, but I still am glad to have platinum. But both have their pros and cons.

 

[Logan Sapphire]

My jeweler has told me that you can''t polish the scratches out of white gold unless you also rhodium plate it, which costs me $35-45 each time. All but one of my rings are platinum, and the one wg ring I have yellowed on me pretty fast. I guess my body did that to it.

 

[JT]

WOW! You guys are a huge help!! I understand that Platinum can be polised, but I still don''t think the scratches can be removed. I guess what I am getting at is that there is only a $150 price difference and if I go with Platinum, I dont want it to looked all banged-uped after a few years.

BTW the ring is from Blue Nile.

Thanks again for all ideas.

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

More of My 2-Cents-

Platinum is a heavier denser metal and it retains it's thickness over time....Some of the drawbacks of white gold like stated earlier, is over time you might have to get the rhodium plating redone on your setting.
There are several things which can occur with all metals. Over time metals will scratch. There are the minor surface scratches. You know the light ones you can see which aren't that deep and can be buffed out. Then there are the dings which can occur from a slight strike on a hard counter top or brushing up against something etc....Certain wear on metal is too be expected. Some minor scratches can be buffed out, but the little dings will be there forever. When you get your ring and prongs checked periodically the jewler will usually buff and polish the metal for you upon request and you will be really surprised at the way a ring will turn out.

Remember that jewlery which is worn everday will show wear. Wedding and engagement rings are typically worn everyday and will show the most wear. Nothing stays perfect over time it just boils down to what kind of care would you like to take when wearing your jewelry, and making choices based on what your priorities are at the time of purchase.
$150 More for Platinum..

Why not if you don’t mind shelling out the bucks. Good Luck! No matter what you go with I can’t wait to see the finished product.

Your soon to be will be thrilled. When your all done show her this thread so she can appreciate how much time your putting into her purchase. Major Bonus Points..

 

[asscherisme]

PLATINUM!!! I love platinum. I love the color, I love the denseness. It feels substantial and really sets off diamonds. And with white gold, over time it can turn grey and need to be plated.

Absolutely platinum!

 

[SeaOats]

Definitely platinum. Love the weight, love the fact that it doesn''t turn yellowish with time, love the fact that it won''t wear down if I were to wear it for the next fifty years... Some people also love the patina that platinum takes on from all those tiny scratches, others don''t. If you don''t like the scratches, get it polished. Believe me, it will look practically new!

 

[Kaleigh]

If it''s only $150 more get the platinum. I love the feel of it and don''t mind the patina it gets. I actually like it but if you don''t getting it polished is easy. With WG you have to get it rhodium plated as it does turn yellowish with time. It''s not a big deal, but would bug me in the long run I guess. Just my 0.2

 

[ladykemma]

if your lady sews or works with fabric, knits, or whatever, works with her hands, get her the platinum. i have worn out three white gold heads in 12 years. (I am on the third plain tiffany setting in 12 years.)

now I have a platinum head on a yellow gold setting.

the bottom line is that settings Don't Last Forever. at least not with me.

i strongly endorse the platinum.

corrected for error: i am on the FOURTH setting in 12 years.

 

[JT]

I did a little more research and you guys are right (of course). When Platinum is polished it looks as good as new IMO.

LadyKemma, you''re right. Settings don''t last forever and maybe later down the road a new/nicer setting would make a great anniversary gift.

Thank you all for you help.

 

[diamondfan]

JT, I am not sure if the part about buffing is true. My ring is set in platinum, from Tiffany''s. The other day I noticed a gash in the thin band part of the ring, and it was rough, almost like when you grind up a spoon in the disposal. ( I have NO idea what I did to it, I do not recall anything that would cause that type of damage). I took it in to the Tiffany''s near my house. In 5 minutes the jeweler buffed it out, it was shiny and smooth again. It looked like new, because though I have had it only a year, the platinum did get dull looking. I would just say the heft and timelessness of the platinum is wonderful, and I would absolutely double check the issue of polishing because I was quite freaked out by what happened and was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

 

[JT]

That post was all I needed to read.

I am set on platinum now, but I will double check with jeweler about buffing out scratches just for future refrence.