Platinum is a very dense, heavy metal. It is naturally whiter than 18ct. white gold (if the gold isn’t rhodium plated). It develops it’s own patina over time, and becomes quite dull looking.
How Does Platinum Wear?
You will notice with old gold rings, that they wear a bit and become thinner over many years, especially if two rings are rubbing together. Platinum does not do this. Rather than wearing away, it smooths out. It is a bit like a block of lead – it re-shapes with knocks and bumps, retaining the metal. Platinum scratches and scrapes more easily than 18ct. white gold.
Platinum v. White Gold: Which Is The Best Metal?
Because of its tendency to smooth out, Platinum is not an ideal metal for ring designs that require defined edges. For this reason, for an engagement ring, we prefer to craft rings in 18ct. gold.
For a chunky, plain ring, Platinum is good, unless your ring has design features such as bevelled edges. A ring such as this would definitely be better made in 18ct. white gold, as it will retain it’s rigid shape.
As to the question of which metal is better, that is a matter of personal preference. At the time of writing, Platinum is less costly than 18ct. white gold. This never used to be the case, but at present gold is at an all time high. This an important consideration when looking at wedding rings for men which tend to be chunky rings in large finger sizes.
How Do I Look After My Ring?
Platinum rings should be re-polished every couple of years or so. Surface scratches are removed, and the metal will look less dull after polishing.
Eighteen carat white gold also requires polishing every couple of years, and a re-application of the rhodium plating if you want your ring to have a white, shiny look.
