Platinum or White Gold? What to do after purchasing the diamond?

[snoopy0414]

Because of the budget, I think I can only afford white gold setting. If I choose platinum, then I would have to sacrafice on the stone which i rather not to do that. Is platinum so much better than white gold? I have read in other threads and know about the basic knowledge about them. Do I need to replate 18K white gold every now and then? And is it expensive?

Also, do everyone insure their diamonds? If I purchase the diamond online from a vendor that provides free appraisal, do I still need to find an independent appraiser to make sure it''s the same stone delivered?

Your response is highly appreciated

 

[neatfreak]

WG is just fine (many people prefer it), but depending on your body chemistry you might have to get it replated every few months or every few years. It depends. Palladium is also a possibility you might want to look into.

As for insurance, you should insure anything you couldn't easily replace without feeling a major financial pinch. Since budget is an issue for you with this purchase, I assume it wouldn't be easy for you to replicate this purchase anytime soon, so I would insure.

Usually the vendor appraisal is enough to get insurance on it, but if it isn't detailed you should get an independent appraisal at some point too.

 

[Avplayer]

i was all for WG but with the prices of gold goin up vs platinuum droppin, it might not be that much more for platinum ( the e ring i just bought was only a $400 difference btwn both metals)

 

[stone-cold11]

check out palladium, it is sometimes cheaper than A WG setting.

 

[Avplayer]

considering the current prices of gold and platinum, u might aswell try and get platinum since the cost differnece might not be that much. (the ring i jsut had ordered 2 weeks ago was only a $400 difference

 

[Diamond*Dana]

I think that it mostly comes down to what you prefer. Personally, I prefer white gold over platinum. I have a 14K white gold three stone that I have only had replated one time in the 1.5 years of daily wear....and that was only because I had a repair done...it really did not need to be replated then! I would definitely not sacrifice the diamond budget to get platinum, it is not worth it in my opinion.

 

[snoopy0414]

thanks guys. what about 14K or 18K white gold? what''s the difference?

as long as it''s not hard to get white gold replated then I think i am fine with white gold for now. i want the engagement ring as well as wedding band have diamonds around both bands (or at least half band, still deciding), and the price on platinum and 18K white gold is much more than $400.

if i insist on getting platinum then won''t be able to afford "eternity ring."

 

[Avplayer]

well when i said $400 i meant that was the difference in my setting. $2580 vs $3000 was the difference in my situation. all u can do is ask and shop around

 

[ceaphron]

I had to decide between WG and platinum and ended up getting palladium. It costs about as much as WG without the hassle of having to rhodium-plate it (which can cost between $50-100 each time). I am VERY happy with my palladium ring (from Danforth Diamonds). Whiteflash can make settings in palladium, too.

You just have to make sure that the jeweler who will set your stone (if you buy the diamond and setting separately) is comfortable working with palladium. Or you can go with a vendor that uses palladium in their WG mix. These white golds don''t need to be plated.

Insurance: I bought my diamond from Whiteflash, and I trust them because of all the wonderful things I''ve read about them here so I did not have the stone re-appraised before purchasing insurance from Jewelers Mutual. Also, it was easy for me to compare my inclusions to the mapped ones on my AGS report so I felt pretty confident that i got what I paid for.

Good luck with your search! You''ll have a blast putting together your ring!