Is white gold the same as platinum?

The answer to this question is no. White gold and platinum have their own properties which make them unique. The following white gold information and platinum information show you the difference between the two metals.

You will discover the difference between white gold and platinum and whether white gold or platinum is best for your needs. For more information about white gold or platinum have a look at the jewelry metal advice page.

White Gold

White gold is an alloy of gold and some white metals such as silver and palladium. White gold can be 18kt, 14kt, 9kt or any karat. For example, 18kt yellow gold is made by mixing 75% gold (750 parts per thousand) with 25% (250 parts per thousand) other metals such as copper and zinc. 18kt white gold is made by mixing 75% gold with 25% other metals such as silver and palladium. So the amount of gold is the same but the alloy is different.

Traditionally nickel was used in white gold, however, nickel is no longer used in most white gold made today as nickel can cause reactions with some people. We do not use nickel in our white gold

When white gold bands are new they are coated with another white metal called Rhodium. Rhodium is a metal very similar to platinum and Rhodium shares many of the properties of platinum including its white color.

The rhodium plating is used to make the white gold look more white. The natural color of white gold is actually a light grey color. The Rhodium is very white and very hard, but it does wear away eventually. To keep a white gold band looking its best it should be re-rhodium plated approximately each 12 to 18 months. Most local jewelers are able to rhodium plate jewelry for a cost effective price.

See Gillett's Jewellers white gold jewelry by choosing a category below:

• Ladies white gold engagement bands
• Design your own engagement band setting section
• Ladies white gold wedding bands
• Men's white gold wedding bands
• Ladies white gold dress bands
• Men's white gold dress bands
• White gold earrings
• White gold pendants.
  
  

Platinum

Platinum is a white metal, but unlike gold it is used in jewelry in almost its pure form (approximately 95% pure). Platinum is extremely long wearing and is very white, so it does not need to be Rhodium plated like white gold.

Platinum is very dense (heavy), so a platinum band will feel heavier than an 18kt gold band.

Platinum is, however, very expensive. A platinum band will be approximately twice the price of an 18kt white gold band (excluding gemstone costs).

See Gillett's Jewellers platinum jewelry by choosing a category below:

• Ladies platinum engagement bands
• Design your own engagement band setting section
• Ladies platinum wedding bands
• Men's platinum wedding bands
  

Is the color of white gold different to platinum?

White gold engagement band with platinum wedding band

The answer to this question depends on whether the white gold jewelry item is in its natural color or whether it has been rhodium plated.

If a white gold item has been rhodium plated (note: most white gold bands are rhodium plated) then the color difference will not really be noticeable at all. For example, the image on the left shows a rhodium plated 18kt white gold diamond engagement band together with a platinum wedding band. As you can see, there is essentially no difference in the metal color.

Men's platinum and white gold band

View men's platinum wedding bands

Then compare that with this picture on the left that shows the contrast in color between the natural colors of white gold and platinum. This men's white gold and platinum band incoporates a combination of both platinum and white gold. The light sections are platinum, the darker sections are the natural color of white gold.

For more information about white gold or platinum and other jewelry metals have a look at the jewelry metal advice page.