Platinum or White Gold for Micro Pave?

[domgbrown]

I''ve learned a lot from reading these forums, so I just want to thank everybody on these sites for that. I want to purchase the setting pictured below for my fiance, but I cannot decide which metal to use. It will cost approximately $2,000 more for the set in platinum verses white gold. My questions are as follows:

1. Which is a better setting for micro pave? I can see the benefits of a stronger metal being able to hold the diamonds securely and a softer metal being able to act as a shock absorber to keep the stones set. Does anybody have experience with either metal in a micro pave setting?

2. If white gold is chosen, when they have to replate the metal every year or so, does that affect the stones? Will the tiny tips of metal in between the stones get polished or plated?

3. Since most of the setting is micro pave, I''m not too worried about the tendency of platinum to scratch. Are there any other cons to platinum or pros for white gold besides the price difference that I''m not aware of? Is the extra money worth it, in your opinion?

Thank you very much.
http://www.weddingdaydiamonds.com/showproduct.asp?id=1300

 

[ChattyCat]

I can''t help you too much, but some companies are now making an 18K gold/palladium alloy that doesn''t have to be plated with Rhodium. I just ordered a set of rings made from this type of alloy from A Jaffe. They make many settings that look similar to the one you pictured.

 

[domgbrown]

I haven''t heard of that alloy combination. Do you know if the designer (Simon G) will give me the option of that alloy?

 

[Sundial]

I can''t tell you which metal is "better" for micropave, but I personally have a white gold three stone ring with three sided micropave on the shank and I have had very good luck with it. I have not lost a stone in nearly three years of daily wear and I even put the ring in an ultrasonic cleaner once a week. My ring also looks nearly brand new. I have not yet needed to have it replated, but I have had other rings done. Rhodium dipping replates all of the metal, but does not effect the stones. White gold tends to yellow more quickly on some people than others. I have other rings in platinum and have no problem with that either. In a design with a lot of pave you won''t notice either the yellowing of white gold nor the dulling patina that platinum can develop nearly as much as you would on rings with a lot of smooth metal showing.

 

[BriBee]

I have a micro pave e-ring in 18K white gold, and I am having the setting re-done in platinum. I''ve only had my ring 2+ months and have already lost 2 tiny stones. When I took it to my local jeweler (not the one who did the setting but one that I trust) he was surprised that my ring was white gold, and told me that he thought it should be made with platinum, which is what I wanted to begin with.

 

[domgbrown]

So I guess that platinum is the better metal to hold micro pave diamonds according to your jeweler?

 

[domgbrown]

Sundial, if you have had your ring for three years and haven''t had any problems, I wonder if it''s more dependent on the designer than the metal.

 

[BriBee]

Date: 1/15/2008 4:34:17 PM
Author: domgbrown
So I guess that platinum is the better metal to hold micro pave diamonds according to your jeweler?

According to my jeweler, platinum is better for holding the small stones. However, I think workmanship has a lot to do with it and I''m sure there are many people with white gold and pave that have held up just fine. For me, I think the workmanship is an issue and I want it re-done for that reason, and I figure I''ll just go with platinum since that''s what I wanted to begin with.

 

[Sundial]

Date: 1/15/2008 4:39:32 PM
Author: domgbrown
Sundial, if you have had your ring for three years and haven''t had any problems, I wonder if it''s more dependent on the designer than the metal.

You could be right. My setting is from Hearts on Fire and it has held up beautifully so far.