Currently, the jewelry market is so large and diverse that when choosing one or another jewelry, the buyer is often lost and confused, because jewelry can be made of silver, platinum and even white gold. In appearance, each of these noble metals can be distinguished from each other the first time and only a professional can accurately.
Since recently jewelry made of platinum and white gold is more in demand, let's try to figure out what differences exist between the two metals.
Similar parameters
To identify similar parameters of two metals, it is worth carefully familiarizing yourself with the small characteristics of each of them. Platinum is the rarest and most expensive precious metal, which has a characteristic silver-white tone and is actively used to create jewelry. This is due to the fact that the extraction and processing of this type of metal require huge costs. Its melting is carried out at a temperature equal to two thousand degrees.
To obtain only 10 grams of platinum, it is necessary to process 3 tons of ore (in comparison: to get the same amount of gold, you will have to process 1 ton of ore).
Platinum has a number of significant advantages, thanks to which it enjoys increased attention from connoisseurs of jewelry.
- Strength and durability. Due to its composition and a special type of density, platinum has an increased level of protection against various kinds of damage and is a practical metal that is not prone to deformation.
- Plastic. Despite the fact that platinum has significant weight in comparison with gold or silver, it can easily change its shape.This is a very big plus, which is appreciated by jewelers in the manufacture of complex jewelry designs.
- Resistance to any chemical influence. Platinum is not subject to corrosion and oxidation, has increased electrical conductivity.
- Natural shine and a unique snow-white shade. Platinum does not need an additional protective layer or coating. To make a tarnished product shiny, you can easily use rhodium.
- Wide range of applications: from jewelry and coinage to medicine and electronics.
White gold is a noble metal of a white hue, which is an alloy of gold with various components (silver, palladium or nickel). Gold stains white when exposed to nickel or palladium. Silver, which can be part of white gold, gives the product a more matte shade. Gold is a soft metal, and therefore more susceptible to environmental damage.
Gold in white tones has different shades: from gray tones to characteristic yellowness. It all depends on the constituent elements of the alloy. White gold is coated with a special layer of rhodium, which provides a protective coating and gives the decoration a white color with a silver tint. Rhodium is not prone to discoloration and cannot be scratched. But this brittle metal can wear out, and therefore, after some time, the yellowness on such a precious thing will begin to appear again.
To give the jewelry its original appearance, you need to contact a jeweler for help.
Having analyzed the characteristics of both metals, it is concluded that they have quite a few similar parameters. These include:
- both platinum and white gold are precious metals;
- these metals look perfect with precious stones;
- similar appearance.
Despite the similar appearance, distinguishing platinum from white gold will not be difficult if you know interesting points.
- Cost. Jewelry made of platinum is 3 times more expensive than gold jewelry.
- Effect on skin condition. Platinum is a hypoallergenic metal. White gold in its composition may have nickel, which can cause allergies to its owner.
- Try. The lowest breakdown for platinum is 850, for gold - 500. The highest breakdown for platinum is 950, for gold - 750.
- Weight. Platinum differs from white gold in great weight.
What is the fundamental difference?
The principal difference between platinum and white gold can be called their origin, because from this factor come the subsequent differences between the two metals. Platinum is pure metal that is mined directly from the bowels of the earth, and white gold is the final result of the combination of a precious metal with one or more elements (silver, nickel, palladium).
It turns out that only platinum can be called truly white metal, and white gold is only trying to “get closer” to the platinum appearance by artificially mixing the components in its composition.
Which is better to choose?
When choosing jewelry, the buyer should rely only on their personal preferences and financial capabilities. Buying jewelry from both platinum and white gold is profitable, because each of these acquisitions belongs to the category of precious metals. Care for both the first product and the second will be identical. Platinum products are an indicator of wealth. Such jewelry is ideally suited for the role of family value due to its durability and strength.
Sure, if a connoisseur of jewelry has sensitive skin, it is better to choose platinum, since such a metal is safe and does not cause allergies. White gold is acceptable when in contact with such delicate skin only if nickel is not present in its composition. If financial opportunities do not allow you to purchase a product made of platinum, you can always choose an interesting option made of white gold.In appearance, such an adornment will not be inferior to platinum at all, but at a price it will be much cheaper.
To see why platinum products are more expensive than gold, see the next video.
