White Gold Vs. Platinum: Which Should You Choose?

When buying an engagement ring, much of the focus is placed on selecting the perfect VRAI created diamond. But selecting your metal and metal color is also important; it can actually influence your final decision when buying a diamond. For those wanting a colorless diamond, for example, a white gold or platinum setting is best. But when deciding between the two, what’s the difference? And which should you choose?

Read on to learn more about white gold vs platinum engagement ring settings and find the metal that’s right for you. Or book an appointment with our diamond experts for more personalized guidance.

Platinum Vs. White Gold The main differences between platinum and white gold are purity, color, and price. Platinum is “purer” than white gold, which has been mixed with other alloys such as palladium, nickel, or zinc (VRAI uses recycled gold, nickel, and zinc for white gold settings). Platinum is the best choice for those with the most extreme skin sensitivities, but white gold is fine for most.

Platinum’s shiny white look is naturally occurring. White gold must be mixed with other alloys and dipped in rhodium to retain its look because gold in its natural state is yellow. VRAI’s white gold engagement rings and wedding rings can be re-dipped to remain white as part of our Lifetime Care Package.

Because platinum is both purer, naturally white, and considered more precious than gold, it is also more expensive.

Platinum Vs. 18k White Gold

18k solid white gold is made up of 18 parts solid gold and 6 parts alloys. This makes it more precious than 14k solid white gold and closer in purity to platinum. Both metals are durable, but platinum is considered stronger than 18k gold. Both platinum engagement rings and 18k solid white gold engagement rings should be removed when doing strenuous or manual work, including exercise, for example. And an 18k white gold ring will need more regular upkeep to retain its white color.

Platinum and 18k white gold are both considered ideal metals for the most sentimental fine jewelry designs, namely engagement rings and wedding bands. The main difference between the two is that platinum is hypoallergenic. Their secondary difference is their price, so selecting between the two will often come down to your skin sensitivities and budget.

Platinum Vs. 14k White Gold

14k solid white gold is made up of 14 parts solid gold and 10 parts alloys. Because pure gold is extremely malleable, 14k gold is stronger and more durable than 18k solid gold. However, 14k white gold is considered less precious than 18k; therefore, VRAI uses 14k white gold for fine jewelry designs that can be worn daily, such as bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and fashion rings. For more sentimental purchases, such as an engagement ring or wedding band, platinum or 18k white gold is preferred over 14k white gold.

Platinum Vs. Silver Vs. White Gold

When comparing platinum against both silver and white gold, platinum remains the most durable, the purest, and the most luxurious of the three. It is difficult for most to tell the difference between the three by appearance, however. Platinum will always have the whitest and shiniest look, but white gold with rhodium plating is nearly identical. Silver, on the other hand, will appear the grayest out of the three and is also prone to tarnishing without regular polishing, which white gold and platinum are not. Silver is also considered less precious, and therefore more affordable.

Platinum Vs. White Gold Engagement Rings

The only rule when choosing between a platinum vs.white gold engagement ring is to select the one that’s right for you and works within your budget. Read on to decide which metal your future heirlooms should be made of!

Should You Choose A White Gold Ring?

White gold is known for its clean and contemporary look. It’s perfect for those with cool skin tones and is loved by anyone who wants a more modern twist on traditional yellow gold rings. White gold is also more affordable, which means you can allocate more money towards a bigger lab-grown diamond, for example. White gold engagement ring settings are best when paired with colorless or near colorless diamonds. Their white sheen won’t imbue these diamonds with a yellow tint, like yellow and rose gold settings do.

Should you choose a white gold ring? Yes, if you are trying to stay within your budget, highlight a colorless or near colorless diamond, or simply because you love the look!

Should You Choose A Platinum Ring?

Platinum is the ultimate expression of luxury and indulgence. It's known for its incredible durability and inimitable sheen. Because of its purity, it is the best choice for those with skin sensitivities. It is also an excellent choice for highlighting colorless or near colorless diamonds as its white color won’t imbue these diamonds with a yellow tint.

Should you choose a platinum ring? If you have the budget for it and have always dreamed of owning a platinum ring, then yes! If you are working within a restricted budget and want a platinum ring, consider compromising on carat weight when it comes to selecting your diamond. If you want a colorless diamond but are drawn towards yellow or rose gold settings, consider the Classic Two Tone engagement ring which will highlight your diamond with platinum prongs.

Which Diamonds Are Best For Platinum Or White Gold Rings?

Colorless diamonds (D-F), and some near colorless diamonds (particularly G and H) are best for platinum and white gold rings. The white color of the metal means these diamonds are not imbued with hints of yellow. It also means that diamonds lower on the color scale with slight traces of yellow aren’t best in these settings. Yellow or rose gold settings will better mask their color.

When it comes to selecting your diamond shape, most follow their personal preference first. But if you are looking to maximize your budget on a colorless diamond, choose a shape that doesn’t require higher clarity, for example. The brilliant cut facets of a Round Brilliant or Radiant cut diamond, for instance, will hide many inclusions, meaning you can focus more on color as opposed to clarity.

For more personalized guidance, book an appointment with our diamond experts.

Shop Platinum And White Gold With Our Diamond Experts

Find the perfect platinum or white gold engagement rings or wedding bands featuring VRAI created diamonds with our diamond experts. Whether in-store or virtually, they’ll assist you during a complimentary consultation in finding your setting and selecting the ideal diamonds to finalize your design.