This ring Plat or 18k WG ???

[corgan]

I am getting this ring made with a round halo and I am not sure what type of metal to use. Obviously WG is cheaper and especially that you won''t see too much of the metal anyway as I am getting 3/4 eternity. I have always wanted platinum but the cost is very expensive for me and I am not sure if it will be worth it.

Your thoughts?

 

[neatfreak]

I always like pave in platinum because it''s more malleable and more likely to hold the stones better if you bash it.

 

[DiamondGirlHH]

I would go with platinum especially now that the price of platinum is rock bottom compared to the last few years. Also platinum seems to retain its value better than gold as well.

 

[JSM]

I''m a huge WG fan (don''t like patina of platinum), but for this amount of detail and pave diamonds, platinum would be a much better (and safer) bet. Either way, gorgeous ring!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I adore that ring!!! I''d call and get current prices as of today. Seriously, platinum is down at the price of gold now!!! It is less than half the price it was earlier this year (which was when I had a ring made, unfortunately!!!).

 

[UCLABelle]

I personally LOVE platinum, and would go with that, but if the price difference is huge, there is nothing wrong with white gold.

 

[Indira-London]

Date: 10/21/2008 12:00:59 AM
Author: UCLABelle
I personally LOVE platinum, and would go with that, but if the price difference is huge, there is nothing wrong with white gold.

Here is a "table" (it was a table when I created it for my customers but only copies over as text) of the different properties of platinum vs 18ct white gold.
For your ring style - the main cost is the workmanship and not the metal so there should not be a huge difference between the price of 18ct white gold vs platinum. If you do go with the 18ct gold option, I would make sure that they use palladium and not nickel in the alloy. Here in Europe, we have a EU directive that prevents any jeweller from using nickel but I do not know how that applies to other parts of the globe.


What about weight / feel?
PLATINUM is inch for inch heavier and denser metal so it feels heavier than gold
18 WHITE GOLD is inch for inch lighter

What about scratching?
PLATINUM scratches more easily if set in a design where there are lots high polish areas. Before platinum made its comeback in the early 90''s most platinum rings were finely hand engraved and/or set with pave diamonds i.e. PLATINUM IS IDEAL FOR THE KIND OF DETAILED MICROSET DIAMOND RING DESIGN THAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING. So there were very little high polish areas. With this type of design platinum rings need little maintenance to keep their beautiful look as the pave or microset diamonds continue to sparkle over time and even the inner portions of the engraved areas are beneath the surface and also maintain their polish.
On the other hand rings with large areas of high polish are going to need constant refinishing to maintain their original highly polished look.
18ct WHITE GOLD maintains it''s sheen (rhodium-plated) longer than platinum

Which one is more durable?
Both are durable but platinum is more so than 18ct white gold
PLATINUM IS more durable than gold and lasts over many generations
18ct WHITE GOLD will last a lifetime though it wears thin over time and the shank may have to eventually be replaced

What about colour?
Some people like platinum whilst others feel that it can appear dull grey compared to the sheen of 18ct white gold
PLATINUM maintains the same colour forever - White is the natural colour of platinum
18ct WHITE GOLD may eventually tinge to a very light yellow though white gold is easily re-plated with rhodium. In 18ct white gold the white colour is induced by alloying yellow gold with a white metal. We use palladium in our 18ct white gold. Palladium is in the same group of elements as platinum and is ounce for ounce more expensive than platinum. Other jewellers may use other metals in the alloying.

What about cost?
Platinum is more expensive though when considering the total cost of an engagement ring, the extra cost for platinum is considered by many as insignificant in relation to the whole cost.
Price is more than gold as platinum is rarer. To produce a single ounce of platinum, a total of 10 tonnes of ore must be mined. In comparison, only 3 tonnes of gold are required to produce one ounce of gold.
18ct white gold price is less expensive compared to platinum though recent financial market turmoils means that gold prices are very high currently

What about maintenance?
Neither metal will always look new. Both need eventual maintenance one way or another.
Over time, long-term maintenance on platinum involves visits for re-polishing.
Over time, maintenance on white gold rings can include re-polishing, re-plating (rhodium finish), and/or eventual replacement of shank.

 

[corgan]

Thank-you everyone for the replies!

I wanted my ring to be an heirloom piece and I always wanted platinum but the difference between the price is just over $1000 (US-CAN dollars). I have definitely over spent already as I am also getting a matching wedding band (so the price is for both) but after reading the replies here and the wonderful info I was given I think I am going to suck it up and get platinum. I do really want to pass on my rings to my little girl.

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

I would go with platinum too. Is that a Beverley K design?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 10/21/2008 9:11:43 AM
Author: corgan
Thank-you everyone for the replies!


I wanted my ring to be an heirloom piece and I always wanted platinum but the difference between the price is just over $1000 (US-CAN dollars). I have definitely over spent already as I am also getting a matching wedding band (so the price is for both) but after reading the replies here and the wonderful info I was given I think I am going to suck it up and get platinum. I do really want to pass on my rings to my little girl.

For an heirloom piece I think that''s a smart choice. Congrats!!

 

[corgan]

NeverEnding, yes that is a Beverley K design. However I am getting mine made through whiteflash and with a round halo and 3/4 eternity.

Thanks neatfreak.