If you are wondering what kind of gold to select for jewelry, then in this report we have created a comparative analysis of platinum and gold (white, yellow, and pink). In the previous post of our blog, we talked about 1 carat diamond ring, in this article we will consider the issue of jewelry metals.
What is platinum?
It is no secret that for many years in a row it was gold that was believed the undisputed favorite among precious metals. But recently, platinum has been increasingly replacing it from its leading position. Despite the high cost, today it is platinum jewelry that demonstrates the most rapid dynamics of demand.
It is the weightiest of precious metals, weighing twice as much as gold. Although identical to white gold, it is less apt to scrap. It does not discolor over time. Platinum is 95-98% pure.
Benefits of Platinum:
- Platinum has an alluring greyish-white luster, barely reminiscent of white gold.
- It is highly durable and almost indestructible.
- Platinum jewelry is unpretentious - care for them is identical to white gold jewelry.
- Platinum is rarely found in nature, but has pure form.
- Rarely causes allergic reactions, mainly due to individual intolerance.
- Platinum jewelry looks incredibly noble and elegant.
Minuses:
- It is very expensive.
- The metal is prone to the formation of a patina that tarnishes.
- It is too feeble in its pure form and inclined to scrapes.
What is white gold?
It is a metal consisting of pure gold and additional metals of various shades. Usually, it is manganese, palladium, platinum, nickel, silver, bronze, etc. The quality and price of products largely depend on the type of additive.
White gold rings are usually created with either 14K or 18K gold. 14 karat is 58.3% gold and 18 karat is 75% gold.
Platinum vs. White gold
When it comes to engagement rings, gold and platinum are the most popular as they are valuable, durable, and have a stunning look.
So, they have nothing in common:
- platinum is a metal, white gold is an alloy;
- platinum does not cause allergy, white gold may cause allergies;
- items created of platinum and gold differ in class, for platinum the highest class is 950th, for white gold only - 750th;
- the color of platinum jewelry is silver-white, white gold jewelry may have a yellowish tint, sometimes shimmering in brown or gray;
- the difference is also manifested in the cost: the cost of a piece of platinum jewelry is an order of magnitude higher than a comparable part of white gold jewelry.
The cost and rate of a white gold product depend on impurities; the percentage of additives does not affect the quality of platinum jewelry.
However, choosing platinum or white gold will still please the buyer, so you should not dismiss either option. In any case, jewelry made of both metals is distinguished by beauty and grace.
Is Platinum Better than Gold?
No, platinum is not better than gold, as platinum looks nearly similar to white gold but costs more. Platinum scores more efficiently and needs more care. White gold is a stunning metal mix with a classic impression. White gold costs less than platinum and is a gorgeous option for good moissanite jewelry.
Three types of gold
In jewelry stores, you cannot discover jewelry made from pure gold of 999.9, all because this metal itself is very plastic and deformable. In its pure form, it can only be found in the form of ingots stored in banking institutions. Gold is combined with other metals. Metals added to gold are called ligatures.
The most favored kinds of gold are:
White: represents gold mixed with platinum, nickel, and silver. It is popular among buyers since jewelry made from it is in harmony with any phototype. White - options are possible, for example, 58.5% Au, 12.5% ββAg and 27% Pd.
Benefits:
- Loyal price. The cost is formed from such factors as the weight of the product, the presence of stones, samples and hallmarks, the margin of the manufactory and retailer.
- Versatility. The flawless and laconic appearance of white material jewelry allows you to combine them with various pieces of jewelry.
- Persistence. It is not easy to leave a scratch or break an ornament made of this material.
- The white color of the metal goes well with any shade of hair, eyes, and skin.
Disadvantages:
- It is not hypoallergenic.
- It is afraid of the chemical attack. That is why, when swimming and washing dishes, you need to remove products.
- After some time, white gold may turn yellow.
Pink: To obtain this type of gold, copper and zinc are added to the base metal. Jewelry made from this alloy has a red tint precisely because of copper. It is believed that wearing rings, bracelets made from it has a healing effect. Pink - 75% Au, 9% Ag and 16% Cu.
Benefits:
- Durability.
- Availability.
- "Tonal" compatibility.
- Enhance the color of gems.
Minuses:
- Low prevalence. Pink gold is not as common as other opportunities.
- Presence in copper alloy. Copper, which gives pink gold its characteristic color, may create a situation where a person has an allergic reaction.
Yellow: it resembles fine gold in color, but the fineness of such gold is 585: one kilogram (1000 grams) of the alloy contains only 585 grams of gold, and the rest is represented by ligature. It turns out that fine gold and ligature in such an alloy are in equal proportions. If you want to get a warm shade of yellow gold, then silver and copper are added in a ratio of 2 to 1. To get more soaked from silver is taken equally. Yellow - a combination of Au (the percentage depends on the sample), Cu, and Ag (the final shade depends on their ratio - closer to lemon or warm yellow).
Benefits:
- It is quite self-sufficient as an ornament; it does not need additions in the form of exquisite ornaments or precious stones.
- It has a lower cost analogized to the white counterpart.
- It has great durability.
- It is not coated with special antioxidants.
Yellow gold has one significant drawback: modern jewelry is highly fragile and easily deformed under external loads.
