In other words, in over 110 years, we have not seen platinum values slump this far versus the price of gold.. Its resistance to wear and tarnish is well suited to use in fine . Caring for Platinum Jewelry vs. White Gold Yellow and gold jewelry in comparison to platinum or white gold show more of a distinct color to the naked eye. Show Recessions. Platinum rings are 60% heavier than the same ring made out of 14k white gold. If you're searching for purity, then yellow gold or platinum are better options. 14K and 18K white gold is more affordable, whereas platinum engagement rings are more expensive. They are industrial demand, particularly for anti-pollution equipment in vehicle engines, jewelry and medical supplies and mine production. For example, 18k white gold will be closer in cost to platinum than 14k white gold. The top rhodium layer makes white gold harder and more durable. Buying Stones. Gold. Platinum costs more than gold. Because platinum is able to handle scratches and wear and tear more, a platinum piece can last for generations. White gold, for example, needs to be re-tripped, re-plated and re-polished to keep it in tip-top shape. On the other hand, platinum is naturally white in color and is rarer than gold. They are usually engraved onto the inner lining of rings and near necklace clasps. Gold vs. Since both gold and platinum are seldom used in their pure forms, different numbers are allotted to the alloy mixes for each precious metal. Unlike white gold which on occasion will be treated with Rhodium to maintain its appearance, the . ), but for a good reason. As such, platinum jewelry costs more than gold, not only because it is 60% heavier (a 10 gram ring vs. a 16 gram ring noted in #1 above), but those grams of precious metal are more pure, and therefore, more valuable and costly in platinum compared to gold. Mines in South Africa are a key . 14-Karat. Platinum rings also tend to be more expensive than gold because more pure platinum is used in each ring and platinum is a heavy metal. Durability Platinum rings are a fantastic, timeless option for jewelry. Another key difference is the purity. A layer of Rhodium plating is added giving it a brighter white hue. More platinum is needed to make a ring though, causing the price to be 40-50% more. Platinum Prices vs Gold Prices. On top of that, the weight per volume of platinum is about 40% higher than gold. Gold: White gold is a mixed alloy containing around 75% pure gold and 25% nickel zinc. Consider the type and karat level of your metals if you're interested in durability. However, you might be surprised to hear that platinum actually scratches easier than 14k gold. However, platinum jewelry is known to scratch easier when compared to 18/14 Karat gold jewelry. Composition. One of the most asked questions we receive is which metal, platinum or gold, is harder. You can have two identical rings - one made of gold and the other of platinum. It's also comparatively cheaper than platinum, especially at 10k (41.6% gold) or 14k (58.3% gold), because the content of precious metal is lower than the standard 95% for platinum. 18-Karat. There is no need for the addition of alloys or plating as it keeps its natural white luster throughout time and will never burnish to a more yellow color. Of the three, therefore, platinum is more durable. Even in regards to density, platinum is about 20% denser than white gold and silver. Platinum jewelry is usually 90-95% pure, making it extremely durable, hard-wearing and secure for your diamond or precious gemstone. But even with platinum's price decreasing, the premiums paid versus the metal content of gold or platinum jewelry make jewelry a less than ideal investment asset. 2. Gold is a soft metal, and is mixed with other harder metals to strengthen it. Platinum comes in a variety of purity levels, but a common one is 950 Plator 95% platinummeaning it comes with a higher price tag . From the oldest known gold artifacts from the Chalcolithic period (3500 to 1700 BC) to the oldest known gold mine map from the 19th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt to the ring, necklace or earrings you're probably wearing right now, gold has long been the most treasured of precious metals. The first and most obvious distinction between platinum and white gold is in the pricing. Compared to platinum, white gold is softer, but less likely to scratch at lower karat content such as 14k. Platinum is roughly 60% more dense than gold. Jewel Smiths. On the other hand, platinum alloys often have 95% platinum content, leaving only 5% for harder metals. Add it all up and it makes perfect sense to pay 2x+ for platinum vs gold. Tips and tricks for making the correct purchase. Most times, gold needs to be blended with other precious metals or alloys to make the form stick. Platinum keeps its silvery-white color, whereas white gold has to be rhodium plated repeatedly over the . Interactive chart comparing daily gold and platinum prices over the last 10 years. Platinum is denser than gold, which may explain the difference in price. Gold usually goes to about 58.5% purity for the most common karat - 14K. Platinum engagement rings typically cost $800 - $1200 more than their white or yellow gold counterparts. Platinum jewelry is easy to get looking like new again and can easily be resized or reconditioned if it is passed down. 5. JewelSmiths - Successor to Samuel Gordon Jewelers 6517 N May Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73116-4838 (405) 848-1688 Store Information. Meaning that you would get 1 gram gold for every 2 grams of Platinum. Platinum usually traded at a higher price than gold from 1987 until September 2008. However, platinum rings are more expensive for several reasons: Platinum is mined less than gold. We've got the lowdown on why you might choose one over another, depending on what you're looking for in a precious metal. On the other hand, white gold is actually a misnomer. Platinum is naturally white metal, while white gold is a combination of pure gold that is yellow with other alloys. To the naked eye, platinum and white gold have a lot in common. Due to the yellow color, white gold achieves an off-white/slightly grey color. This is why they are softer than white gold alloys. Some common platinum hallmarks are: 950 Plat or 950 Pt. On May 19, 2008, platinum traded to a modern-day high of $2,182 per ounce. The platinum ring will weigh more than the gold one and so it will cost more. Gold rings will usually be 14k, thus 58% gold and the rest cheaper metals. Pure platinum is a lustrous, ductile, and malleable, silver-white metal. Platinum was one of the most popular choices for jewelry until WWII when it was banned for all non-military uses. White gold jewelry usually has no higher than 75% gold (18 karats) or 58.3% gold (14 karats) content. Platinum - as a metal - is not more precious than gold per ounce. The main differences between platinum vs white gold are: Platinum is hypoallergenic whereas white gold may irritate those with sensitive skin. Also, engagement rings and other finely-crafted jewelry demand more purity . Strength. Value of Gold vs Platinum. Platinum is more ductile than gold, silver or copper, thus being the most ductile of pure metals, but it is less malleable than gold.. Its physical characteristics and chemical stability make it useful for industrial applications. Gold is valued higher than Platinum, at the current metal prices, Platinum is valued half of that of Gold. This is made of 75% gold and 25% other metals. Gold and platinum jewelry weighing less than 1.0 and 0.5 gram respectively, are exempt from hallmarking. Weight: Platinum is denser/heavier than gold. However, since Platinum weighs almost 1.5 times more than gold you would almost be paying the same for 1 gram of 18K Gold as compared to 1 . However, keep in mind that although a platinum prong can be easier to bend depending on the alloy's content, a white gold prong can be more brittle and easier to break. 900 - 90% platinum purity and 10% alloy metals. 3 As of June 7, 2021, gold was trading at $1,897 an ounce compared to $1,175 an ounce for platinum. The price of gold, updated by the minute. Platinum in and of itself is white and in time achieves an attractive grayish patina. Yellow gold or white gold was the prevalent metal used for jewelry until platinum made its comeback in the 1990's. Platinum is a dense, malleable, ductile, unreactive grey-white metal. It has a high value but is weaker due to the high gold percentage. Most white gold jewelry is 14K (58.3% pure gold) or 18K (75% pure gold). Well, the quick answer is that platinum is harder because it is denser and more durable than gold, which is actually a soft metal by nature. 3) Composition. It is 30 times rarer than gold. 6. You . Buying Gold. Besides the fact that gold and platinum are precious metals, ideally suited for jewelry, they are both measured by the troy ounce. A troy ounce is equivalent to 31.1034 grams - not to be confused with a "regular" ounce that weighs only 28.3495 grams. That's why it's the industry standard for a diamond's setting. Platinum jewelry is made of 95% pure platinum, while gold jewelry is only made of 58-75% pure . Comparing two identical rings, one in White Gold and one in Platinum, the Platinum one is automatically 1.6 times more expensive. There is no 24-karat white gold. It is worth noting that white gold will lose its rhodium plating over time and will have to be replated. Platinum has not been this cheap vs. gold since 1907 AD. Jewelry. . How to keep your heirlooms in pristine condition. Platinum jewelry is usually 100% platinum. Platinum is actually known as the densest and heaviest precious metal; more so than gold. Platinum has a purity of 95% when creating items such as jewelry, leaving only about 5% for alloys to jump in. Platinum is Strong: In fact, it's much stronger and denser than gold. Platinum used in jewelry, like this ring, is generally of higher purity than gold. A Platinum crown ensures that a diamond or gemstone will be held most securely. Both gold and platinum are shown in U.S. dollars per troy ounce. Color. Jewelry Care. Since 2011, the price of gold has exceeded the price of platinum. Platinum is a harder metal than gold, making it better for daily wear. Less platinum is mined each year compared to gold. Platinum is about 1.6 times heavier than White Gold. Lower karat white gold jewelry, such as 14k, contains more alloy metals than higher 18k white gold jewelry, making it stronger and less prone to scratching. - The metal is at least 95% pure platinum and 5% alloy metals. 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. 3. Platinum is far more expensive than white gold (even though the per gram weight isn't that much more than that of gold! Platinum Wedding Band by Benchmark. Platinum jewelry has long been more expensive that gold jewelry, as platinum was always more expensive than gold. Rarity: Platinum is a lot rarer than gold. This is the reason why the same design in Platinum will be heavier than gold. At Brilliant Earth, our 18K white gold jewelry is plated with rhodium to provide a bright white finish. In fact, platinum prongs are often used in rings made of less durable metals, like white gold. Platinum Jewelry. 4 5. This is impossible due to how white gold is made. 24-Karat. Characteristics Physical. Here's how things stack up when we compare the two side by side. With over a decade of experience in high-end jewelry, read below for the Charles Jewelry take on platinum vs gold: Appearance and Maintenance The striking sheen of platinum makes it the precious metal of choice for the highest quality jewelry. Rhodium plating wears away though over time and gold's yellowish color underneath starts to become apparent. White gold is second when it comes to durability, followed by silver. Platinum: Platinum is a naturally occurring metal that is 95% pure when used in jewelry. You won't even need to polish it as often. Ever wonder about platinum metal versus white gold for your jewelry? Here at SD Bullion, we have covered Platinum fundamental investment factors as well as information about supply-demand factors at play today.. South Africa is the major miner of platinum ore in the world, accounting for about 70% . The two main differences between platinum and white gold are the composition and price. The difference will be more significant if you go with a lesser quality white gold. Platinum is also heavier and a pure metal, which adds to its hefty price tag. So platinum jewelry is a much purer and denser metal-type than gold. Therefore, 18K gold jewelry is less durable than 14k gold. 850 Plat or 850 Pt. Platinum will also change its color one time to form the patina finish. Investing in Platinum vs. Gold: Price and Liquidity. Platinum also has more pure precious metal than White Gold. It's time for extreme jewelry. Maintenance: Platinum has less maintenance than gold. Our Platinum alloy is 95% pure platinum compared to our 14k and 18k White Gold alloys which are 58% and . Only about 160 tons of platinum are produced per year, compared to 1,500 tons of gold. Platinum vs goldin the octagon. This is another factor that separates the two. Platinum is known for its ability to withstand daily wear without thinning. The rest is other, harder metals. Over a 32-year span, there were a few historical instances where gold's price per ounce outperformed platinum. Taking all these factors into account platinum jewelry will generally be more expensive than gold .