how to tell white gold from platinum

Platinum always has an upper hand in comparison with white gold as the coating of rhodium only gives the gold its sheen. Platinum jewelry contains 90% to 95% of platinum and the remaining 10% to 5% is mixed with an alloy such as iridium or ruthenium. White gold and platinum … RIAA’s historic Gold® & Platinum® Program defines success in the recorded music industry. Gold in the form of alloy or pure gold is an extensively traded asset so it can be sold very easily compared to platinum. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Combined with the difference in weight, the cost of a platinum ring is about 4 times the cost of a similar ring in white gold. The first difference between white gold and platinum is the most basic and is the foundation of all the other differences. White gold jewelries on the other hand are easier to repair compared to those made from platinum. In fact it is the only metal that can be used in the purest form. The purer the gold, the softer it is. Platinum rings with diamonds or other precious gemstones are always a welcome amongst most. Continue testing with other acids if the piece is not platinum to find out what it is. While the key differences between these two precious metals are composition and price, they look nearly identical to the naked eye. White gold is a mixture of pure yellow gold and other metals that make the resulting alloy harder and give it a white color. Platinum is easier to hand engrave, but there is plenty of engraved white gold jewelery, too.When not rhodium plated, white gold is a bit yellowish and platinum is more grayish in color. It is interesting to know the fact that the nickel in gold is sensitive to a lot of people. The two main differences between platinum and white gold are the composition and price. These factors will help you in learning how to tell platinum from white gold. Although we carefully make a choice of alloying metals they still have a sign of yellow color, which can be distinguished from platinum. Because of its hardness, platinum can be used in a purer form than gold. The Rhodium plating will initially protect wearers from any nickel within the gold, but it will eventually wear off, which can leave the skin irritated if … Platinum also has a shine, but it does not last very long. If the bride-to-be has an allergy to nickel, then platinum is the way to go. Originally conceived to honor artists and track sound recording sales, Gold & Platinum Awards have come to stand as a benchmark of success for any artist—whether they’ve just released their first song or Greatest Hits album. If the ring stamp reads "Pt" or "Plat," it contains platinum. Whether it is white or platinum jewelry, imitating deigns in other metal is a possible option. There are a couple of differences between two metals. White Gold is an alloy, better known to us yellow gold with Platinum or other metals that give him white, or rather say matte silver color. Platinum costs more than white gold, as it is a very rare metal and also very pure. The price can vary considerably between platinum and white gold jewelry. This video discusses the differences between platinum and white gold: What factors have created this difference? You are now ready for the final test (for white metals), which uses the 14-24ct acid (the 'BLUE' acid) and the Platinum (Green) acid and a strip of test-paper. White gold is the new platinum around the town. Platinum vs. White Gold: Scratches. Platinum is naturally white metal whereas White gold is an alloy of yellow gold which is mixed with silver, nickel to give it a whitish appearance & later rhodium polished to give it a temporary platinum-like appearance. Since most platinum alloys are 95% platinum and 18kt white gold is 75% gold, less gold is require to produce an 18kt white gold ring. Originally Published Dec. 4, 2015) "Please tell me how I can tell whether a ring is 14k white gold. As a white gold jewelry made of nickel alloy is cheaper compared to palladium, most jewelry makers prefer to use nickel instead of palladium. Can you tell the difference between platinum, silver and white Gold? The look Very simply, silver tarnishes. A rhodium plated white gold ring looks very similar to a Platinum ring when first purchased, but over time the rhodium plating in white gold will wear off and fade to a yellowish tinge. Rhodium on a ring is a short term plating anyway so it is only an intial “look”.People will almost always recommend platinum, if you can afford it. Because platinum itself has a much whiter tint to it than the traditionally, well, silver color of silver. Platinum is almost grayish white and does not necessarily demand rhodium polishing. However, experienced laser welders and jewelers who are experts in this field are more likely to prevent potential damages. White gold is soft and pliable metal. The stone If you are looking at a precious stone in a setting, you are most likely looking at a gold or platinum piece. There’s lower risk of damaging the jewelries being fixed. It is the matter of choice – price, look, sensitivity and durability. Some may prefer the white lustre of plated gold jewelry and some may prefer the natural look of the platinum jewelry. This will tell you if the item is 14ct or 18ct (though a white metal could also be steel) or 22ct to 24ct (though gold this pure cannot be white in colour). How was it white? Just like cut quality, clarity and carat weight, color is one slice of the pie to keep in mind when you’re shopping for a diamond. Platinum is more delicate and luxurious compared to white gold. If you see white/gray tarnish on the surface of the item, it is made of silver. Most jewelers will not set a precious stone in silver. Easiest way - Jewelry in most countries are required by law to have a stamp on it that identifies the Karat quality or the metal. These features make platinum jewelries to cost 2.5 or 5 times more than the white gold. And certainly, any white gold that tests higher than 18K will have a 'warmer' look than platinum. Crafting platinum jewelries requires experienced professionals who are experts in this area, as well as special tools that were designed for this job because of the complexity of the process. Platinum vs White Gold . Platinum alloys used in jewellery are purer. Usually, the additional metals that can be used in white gold … White gold is finished with different types of metals and many of these metals may possibly irritate the skin, especially for the sensitive type. Platinum always has an upper hand in comparison with white gold as the coating of rhodium only gives the gold its sheen. It’s your choice. Examine the interior of the band. There is a difference in how platinum and white gold react to scratches. A rectangular shape with the corners shaved off will tell you immediately that the item is gold. Buying an engagement ring in platinum or white ring is always a contemplating question. The most common hallmark is meant to tell you an item's precious metal purity. The fineness of platinum is marked with .900 or marked as .950. The main difference between platinum and white gold is on how they are formed; platinum is a pure metal while white gold is an alloy.There are many precious metals such as gold, silver, diamond, platinum, and so on.When it comes to engagement rings, people prefer platinum over other metals because of its sparkling beauty, elegance, whiteness, and durability. Choose as per your budget or style. Many people suffer from nickel allergies, which is why they avoid buying jewelries made from white gold. 1957 Silver Quarter – The Value Is In Silver and Proofs. Hypoallergenic metals will help out to diminish the opportunity of any allergic reaction by reducing the number of potentially irritating substances. Platinum is denser than white gold and the wearability of jewelries made from it is high compared to white gold. Now that you know how to tell platinum from white gold, it will be easier for you to make a decision – based on your budget and preference. Finding an engagement ring is no longer a tough task. Platinum, on the other hand, is purer and is considered hypoallergenic. With the best online jewelry stores available across the globe, you can do as much filtration and comparison as possible with regard to price, style, weight, gemstone etc. The alloys of platinum are very pure and are generally 20% lighter in density than white gold. They are much affordable and are available in a plethora of choices. Related Posts: How to Tell the Difference Between Silver, White Gold and Platinum Usually at about 95%. It is not always easy to tell with the naked eye but this is may help. White gold and platinum do not. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To the naked eye, they look almost the same. They almost resemble the platinum ones, but cannot duplicate them. By sight alone, 18K should have a slightly buttery or a yellowish tinge compared to platinum. It’s just as simple as that, because silver tarnishes and needs to be polished and platinum jewelry and white gold do not. Most often, the alloy is made from gold and Platinum, white gold, therefore, is a bit more expensive conventional yellow gold. Imagine, walking into a jewelry store and seeing two rings made of platinum and white gold, respectively. White gold is mixed with many white metals like nickel, palladium or silver in order to get its white color. It is rarer than gold, and much heavier and harder. The first thing you want to look for is the shape of the stamp. Only few people are interested in investing on platinum metal, although it needs less maintenance than white gold. The durability of platinum metal is far greater, as it loses very little weight with polishing and everyday wear and tear. While platinum is heavier and more durable than white gold, it can be fabricated much better than gold in jewelry making. There are several ways to tell if a ring is white gold or platinum. Nickel free alloys can reduce this problem. Platinum is denser, and thus more material weight is needed to produce the same ring than from white gold. Here is how to tell platinum from silver. white gold and platinum actually look identical in their finished forms and appear white to the eyes Make new scratches on the stone for each different kind of acid. In some cases, there will be a stamp that reveals the composition of the ring, whether it be gold, silver, or platinum. You can read the full disclosure, TreasurePursuits.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. When it comes to metals, some, such as yellow gold and rose gold, can hide the faint yellow color of a lower grade diamond better than platinum and white gold. It also lasts longer compared to white gold. The fineness of platinum is marked with.900 or marked as.950. I know some dials and features are only offered on certain models; that's sometimes a way to tell the difference. This is a difference that probably stands out the most to the discerning eye. The rhodium in both white gold and platinum eventually wears off giving a dull grey look, but the shine can be replaced by re-plating the rhodium. It is shinier and white in colour compared to white gold. The finest gold is described as 24 karat. Although we carefully make a choice of alloying metals they still have a sign of yellow color, which can be distinguished from platinum. There are acid platinum solutions. Platinum doesn’t fade to yellow like white gold but the finish will dull, so like white gold, platinum jewelry may require some maintenance to keep it shiny. Also, the chemicals used in everyday house hold items like chlorine can destroy the white gold by eating up the alloy in it. These alloys are generally used to harden the metal. If the scratches all dissolve, the piece is not platinum, silver, or white gold. If a gold is 22 karat, the remaining 2 karat is mixed with alloy. -As you can see by the chart above, platinum was worth more than gold for the vast majority of the 20th Century.It was not until the global financial crisis of 2008 that gold prices began to overtake platinum prices in terms of overall, now fully fiat US dollar valuations (Post-1971).- Platinum jewelries look more lavish and they are more comfortable to wear compared to white gold. Platinum jewelry is hypoallergenic in spite of the alloy used. When you do, ask about shipping costs. Regarding white gold, Nickel is generally used as the alloy, but often white gold is plated with Rhodium, a silvery-white metal in the platinum family. If you do not want to spend more on it, you can always go in for rings made of white gold. The color of platinum is naturally white. White gold is more fragile so there’s a bigger chance that jewelries made from this element might break, especially if force is applied. White gold is mixed with many white metals like nickel, palladium or silver in order to get its white color. I inherited a bunch of jewelry from my grandmother, I’m pretty sure that the majority of it is real because my grandfather loved her very much and liked to spoil her. For example, compare these two complete rings from Jame… Ultimately the choice to choose between white and platinum comes down to a personal preference. Nickel is often one of the white metals alloyed with yellow gold to produce white gold. Test one acid on the stone at a time. (It may be possible, however, to find nickel-free white gold. Using an Acid Scratch Testing Kit Use an acid testing kit on hard-to-verify jewelry. When white gold is scratched, it leaves a little bit of itself on the object that scratched it and acquires a slight groove on its surface. White gold is generally mixed with palladium or nickel. Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish between platinum and white gold. It is a white metal that somewhat resembles platinum, forms a strong bond over the gold alloy, takes a high shine, resists corrosion and oxidation, and is … White gold is the new platinum around the town. While platinum is heavier and more durable than white gold, it can be fabricated much better than gold in jewelry making. Rhodium Plates All White Gold . The purity of gold is described with the term karat. More platinum is needed to make a ring though, causing the price to be 40-50% more. It's an industry standard that all white gold used for jewelry is plated with rhodium.Why rhodium? The softness of gold is based on its purity. When gold is scratched, part of the alloy is scrapped off, but for platinum there is no loss in metal. View our, How to Date Ball Mason Jars: 9 Ways the Jar Will Tell You, How to Recover Platinum from Catalytic Converters: 5 Easy Tips, 1944 Jefferson Nickel – Silver Wartime Nickel, 1950 Wheat Penny Value in Uncirculated Penny, 1907 Barber Quarter – Value in the Proof and Silver, 1952 Half Dollar – Higher Value with Full Bell Lines. An oval stamp would indicate the item is silver. A true platinum ring will feel far more heavy in the palm of your hand. Platinum ring with patina. Silver Bars Cooling. Platinum is about 30 times rarer than gold White gold jewelry is considered sophisticated and stylish. White gold consists more of a mixture of durable metals like nickel, zinc and copper while platinum is more pure with 95-98% platinum composition. Platinum is hypoallergenic and does not pose any reactive instances. Once the ring is re-polished and re-plated, it will look white again. There are a couple of differences between two metals. Other than that, you'll have to test. Your items could qualify for free or discounted shipping when you send them to us. If you can't find … The first and easiest way to tell what a ring is, look for the hallmark inside the ring. They can all be polished to very different finishes. Platinum is also used to make jewelry and looks similar to white gold, but when compared side by side with white gold you can see that platinum has a more grayish color. (Updated May 1, 2020. What You Need To Know When Buying Her A Diamond. Platinum is truly the only hypoallergenic valuable jewelry metal because it is 95% pure. The naturally white Platinum will never fade to yellow. Platinum is a naturally occurring white metal. Platinum is very much expensive compared to white gold. For these reasons if you have any allergy it is better to stick to platinum jewelry instead of white gold. Platinum was used by pre-Columbian natives in America as part of a white alloy of gold and platinum. White gold is has very high reflectivity and therefore shines much brighter and whiter when new. It is true that platinum engagement rings are priced high over white engagement rings. Platinum, white gold, stainless steel are almost impossible to tell apart. How can you distinguish them? But because platinum used for jewelry is 95% pure versus only about 58.5% (for 14Kt) or 75% for 18 karat gold, the cost per gram for platinum is still greater than the cost of gold. https://www.mygemologist.com/learn/jewelry-metals/white-gold-and-platinum-differences/, http://thevalleymart.com/articles/white-gold-platinum.html, http://www.jogiadiamonds.com.au/blog/white-gold-vs-platinum-what-jewellers-wont-tell-you/, http://www.specialtymetals.com/blog/2015/3/31/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-silver-white-gold-and-platinum, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImEEVD4nXuA, This post may contain affiliate links. It is very difficult to repair platinum jewelry as it has elevated melting temperature and it may burn the diamonds or gemstones that come with it. If you have a silver-toned item that could be made of platinum, call us at 800-426-2344 and ask us to test it for you. Any scratching does not result in the thinning of the ring band, but it does happen with gold rings. With gold rings you immediately that the item is gold by pre-Columbian natives in America as part how to tell white gold from platinum. Little weight with polishing and everyday wear and tear an industry standard that white! Certainly, any white gold … platinum vs. white gold as the coating rhodium... Prefer the natural look of the white metals like nickel, palladium or nickel react scratches. Used to harden the metal alloy used in spite of the alloy in it the it... Any allergy it is the new platinum around the town it than the white metals alloyed with yellow gold produce... 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