What is White Gold and How is it Different from Platinum?
What is White Gold?
White gold is essentially yellow gold that is mixed with other metals such as palladium, zinc, copper, nickel, manganese, and silver. To give it a brighter and whiter appearance, a layer of rhodium is applied to the surface. Rhodium increases the durability and hardness of the jewelry. If palladium is used in its composition, there is no need for a rhodium coating because palladium gives a grayish color to the white gold. Additionally, palladium provides good strength and durability, but its strength is related to its karat; the lower the karat, the more durable it is.
If the gold has a high karat, since it contains a higher amount of pure gold, it may not have good durability because gold is a soft metal. To increase its strength, it must be combined with metals like copper, silver, nickel, palladium, and zinc.
Some of its features:
The characteristics of this type of jewelry depend on the amount of metals used in its composition. For example, if nickel is used, the resulting product is very hard and is commonly used in making rings, pins, clasps, and chains. On the other hand, if palladium is used, because it is a soft and flexible metal, it is primarily used for making jewelry with delicate gemstones.
Applications of White Gold:
The important application of white gold is in the creation of jewelry, especially engagement and wedding rings. This choice is primarily due to the color of the metal, its shine, and its brightness, which enhance the appearance of various gemstones. For example, this metal looks very beautiful and striking when paired with diamonds.
What is Platinum?
The name of this metal comes from the Spanish word platina, meaning “little silver.” Platinum is a very rare and expensive metal, and its natural color is white. Platinum has a higher density than gold and is heavier. In fact, it weighs twice as much as 18-carat gold. This metal has high flexibility and resistance.
Platinum has the least reactivity among all metals and is highly resistant to corrosion in extremely hot environments, maintaining its shape. The platinum family consists of six elements: rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, palladium, platinum, and osmium. All six of these elements are very rare and resistant.
Difference Between White Gold and Platinum:
Although these two metals appear similar and can be mistaken for one another by non-experts, they have differences:
- Platinum naturally has a white color, making it shinier than white gold.
- White gold has less resistance than platinum.
- Platinum is more resistant to tarnishing.
- Platinum is rarer and much more expensive than white gold.
- White gold has a lower purity compared to platinum and can tarnish over time.
- Platinum has greater hypoallergenic properties than white gold.
- Jewelry made from platinum does not change color over time, whereas white gold may tarnish.
- Platinum is one of the most durable metals in the world.
- Jewelry made with platinum is much less likely to be damaged or have its stones detach.
Difference in Color Between Platinum and Gold:
The color difference between platinum and gold is the best way to distinguish these two metals and is considered the main difference. Platinum naturally has a white color, while gold is yellow. However, in white gold, a rhodium coating is applied, which wears off over time, revealing the yellow color of the gold underneath. Additionally, platinum is more luminous than white gold and retains its shine for a longer period. However, it is difficult to differentiate between these two metals without the use of tools or a trained eye. Jewelry made from platinum does not change color over time, whereas white gold, on the other hand, can tarnish. Visually, platinum is more resistant to tarnishing.
Difference in Durability Between Platinum and Gold:
Platinum is known for being a durable and strong metal, while gold has less strength. The difference in strength is due to platinum’s higher density and chemical composition. Although platinum is softer compared to 14-carat gold, it is stronger. However, even the high strength and durability of platinum cannot prevent scratches on jewelry after prolonged use.
Scratching of Platinum and Gold:
It is known that platinum is softer than gold, so when scratched during repairs, the metal doesn’t separate but rather transfers to other parts, making it possible to smooth it out. However, gold is brittle and crumbles, making it impossible to create a smooth surface.
Difference in Weight Between Platinum and Gold:
Platinum has a higher density than gold. When using these two metals for jewelry, gold is a better choice due to its lighter weight, as it does not cause fatigue.
Platinum is one of the most durable metals in the world. Jewelry made from platinum has a very low chance of damage or of the gemstone coming loose from it.
How many times more expensive is platinum than gold?
One of the key questions about the difference between these two metals is whether platinum is more expensive than gold. If you had asked this question about 7 years ago, we could have confidently identified platinum as the more valuable metal. However, today, the situation is different. The fluctuations in the prices of gold and platinum in global markets have made it impossible to give a definitive answer to the question, “Is gold more expensive than platinum?” Therefore, it is necessary to check the current prices of these metals from sources like Iran Refining whenever you plan to invest in precious metals and make decisions based on these fluctuations.
Difference in Maintenance and Care of the Two Metals:
The difference between gold and platinum also lies in how to care for them. Gold requires the most maintenance to retain its color. To prevent yellowing of white gold and tarnishing of yellow gold, they must be polished and re-coated every few years. Like all jewelry, platinum also tends to scratch and dull over time. However, when you polish platinum, instead of thinning the metal, it smooths the piece, meaning you can do this as often as you like.
To keep your platinum jewelry shiny, clean it regularly with a gentle cleaner made specifically for platinum, or with a simple solution of dish soap and warm water. Additionally, when engaging in certain activities or cleaning with harsh chemicals, be sure to remove your jewelry. Similarly, gold can be cleaned with a homemade solution or a product designed for gold. Keep your white gold jewelry away from cleaning agents containing chlorine, as they can easily damage the piece.
When not in use, store your gold jewelry in a fabric-lined box to prevent any knocks or damage. If maintenance is rarely on your to-do list, platinum is the best option for you. In terms of maintenance, the order from least to most care is platinum, rose gold, yellow gold, and white gold. Platinum requires the least maintenance, while white gold requires the most.
How many times more expensive is platinum than gold?
One of the important questions about the difference between these two metals is whether platinum is more expensive than gold. If you had asked this question about 7 years ago, we could have confidently identified platinum as the more valuable metal. However, nowadays, that is no longer the case. The fluctuations in the prices of gold and platinum in global markets have made it impossible to definitively determine the answer to the question, “Is gold more expensive than platinum?” Therefore, whenever you plan to invest in precious metals, it is essential to check the real-time prices from sources like Iran Refining and make decisions based on these fluctuations.
Properties and Characteristics of White Gold:
Pure gold is very soft, so other metals are added to it to increase its strength. For example, copper is used in yellow gold.
The properties and characteristics of white gold vary depending on the type of metal used, as detailed below:
If nickel is used in the production of white gold, the final product will be harder due to the hardness of nickel, making it more suitable for creating rings, pins, clasps, and chains.
White gold made with palladium is softer and more flexible, making it ideal for crafting jewelry and precious stones.
To increase the strength and weight of white gold, silver, copper, and platinum may also be used in its creation. White gold is often coated with rhodium for extra shine, but this coating wears off after 12 to 18 months and needs to be reapplied.
How is the price of white gold calculated?
The price of white gold depends on its weight and karat. As mentioned, white gold is available in 18, 17, 14, and 12 karat in the market. To obtain the final price, you must multiply the weight of the white gold purchased by the number obtained from the formula above.
Platinum testing method using a magnet:
Using a magnet may seem like an unusual solution for distinguishing platinum from silver. However, as a simple and reliable method, it can be very helpful in preventing financial losses.
In fact, neither platinum, silver, nor gold is attracted to a magnet. However, if a cheap iron wire is used inside the ring or bracelet, the magnet will reveal this fraud. Combining other metals with precious metals is not the only method of fraud in the creation of platinum or silver jewelry. Adding a cheap metal wire and coating it with gold, platinum, or silver is another form of fraud that has been reported.
In any case, using a simple magnet can prevent such transactions. Even if the silver or platinum you are testing shows some vibration in response to the magnet, it is not a good sign and indicates a high amount of impurity in its structure. The article will continue to explore the acid testing method for distinguishing platinum from silver.
Does platinum turn black?
The claim that platinum turns black is a rumor spread by some fraudsters in the jewelry market. Unlike gold and silver, which may change color due to the loss of their surface coating and reaction with oxygen, platinum has a high resistance to these changes. This metal may only undergo a very slight color change under specific conditions, particularly when exposed to high heat. In such cases, platinum’s tendency to react with oxygen increases, but this is not common and rarely happens.
Final Thoughts:
Using hydrogen peroxide and bleach to distinguish platinum is one of the simplest methods that can easily be done at home. Additionally, utilizing engraved codes or a magnet to identify this metal carries very little risk. Platinum is considered one of the most valuable metals in our country and holds a special place. This high value has led to doubts regarding the purity or authenticity of this metal. To address these doubts and determine whether it is real or fake, methods such as magnet tests, hydrogen peroxide, acid tests, heat, product weight, engraved codes, and similar techniques can be used. In previous sections, we have provided a detailed explanation of how to execute these methods on the website.
