White Gold vs Platinum: What's the Difference & Which One is Better?

When it comes to precious metals, there are a lot of choices to make. What’s the difference between white gold vs platinum? Which is better? With so many options, how do you know which one is right for you?

White gold and platinum are both precious metals, but they are used for different things. White gold is an alloy that contains mostly gold with some other metals mixed in. In comparison, platinum is an alloy of different metals, including platinum, palladium, and ruthenium.

Platinum is more expensive than white gold, and it’s also more rare. So, which is better? Is one better than the other? Let’s take a look at some of the differences.

What is White Gold?

White gold is an alloy that contains mostly gold with some other metals mixed in. The gold content in white gold ranges from 24–95% with the rest being made up of other elements such as silver, palladium, platinum, and rhodium.

White gold is brighter than yellow gold and has a more sparkly appearance. It is also harder and more scratch resistant than gold. These factors make it a good choice for jewelry.

The main downside to white gold is that it is more expensive than yellow gold. Additionally, it is often not as durable as gold because of the way it is created.

What is Platinum?

Platinum is an extremely rare and valuable metal. It is an alloy of three elements—platinum, palladium, and rhodium—and it is only found in the earth’s crust in a very limited quantity.

Just a tiny bit of platinum is enough to make an object platinum. It’s not found in nature in its pure form. It is more commonly found as a byproduct in other processes such as coal, copper, and iron ore.

It is also used in certain medical applications such as dentistry, as an alloy with other metals to make jewelry, and as a component in catalytic converters for automobiles.

White Gold vs Platinum: Which One is Better?

When it comes to choosing between platinum vs white gold, there are a few factors that you should keep in mind to help you make an informed decision.

Cost: White gold is more expensive than gold-plated gold. The cost of white gold varies depending on the karat, but it is more expensive than gold-plated gold.

Rarity: Platinum is more rare than gold. Platinum is found in only limited quantities in the Earth’s crust, and the price is based on how much is available and the demand.

Durability: White gold is harder and more durable than gold-plated gold. It is also more likely to stay intact when jewelry is accidentally dropped on a hard surface.