Platinum vs White Gold…What’s The Difference?

Almost identical in look and feel, what makes White Gold and Platinum different? This is a question many people ask and we’re here to give you the answer. We dive into the feel, care and rarity of both metals to help you decide which is right for you.

First, let’s discuss what Platinum and White Gold wedding rings are made of. Platinum, a purer metal, consists of about 95% Platinum and 5% Ruthenium. White Gold is alloyed with metals such as silver, palladium and nickel to give it durability and the white appearance. 14K White Gold, the karat grade we sell standard at Hitched, is ~58.3% gold. You may also be interested to know that all of our White Gold and Platinum rings are made from 100% recycled metals!

So, how do I care for 14K Gold or Platinum?

White Gold is highly recommended for jewelry, but there are a few setbacks when it comes to daily wear. As mentioned above, White Gold is not pure gold. That being said, it does require more care and maintenance. When White Gold gets scratched, the metal scratched off is lost, meaning it will need to be polished frequently and potentially replated at some point.

Platinum Wedding Bands are the purest precious metal Hitched carries. Platinum ages much differently than 14K White Gold. When scratched, the metal is not lost but simply moved to a different part of the ring. It can start to lose the shiny finish and start to build a natural patina. This is actually a widely appreciated look because it starts to have a sparkly finish to it. A quick polish with a polishing cloth will easily recreate the shiny, original look.

Is 14K Gold or Platinum more durable?

Platinum is often described as a very durable and hard metal. Platinum and Gold handle scratches very differently. When White Gold gets scratched, the rhodium plating gets scratched away and lost. When Platinum is scratched, the metal gets moved from one spot on the wedding band to another. A patina is developed and creates an antique look on your jewelry. Polishing the ring will move the metal back into place on a Platinum wedding band. 

Why is Platinum more expensive than 14K Gold?

Gold is a more common metal than platinum. Platinum is known to be one of the rarest metals, creating a higher demand. Additionally, white gold consists of a higher mixture of multiple durable metals such as nickel, copper, and zinc while Platinum is more pure with ~95% Platinum. Hitched’s Platinum rings fall on the 950 scale, resulting in 95% platinum and 5% ruthenium. Since Platinum contains a higher purity than 14K Gold, the price is about 50% more expensive. Hitched’s 14K Gold wedding bands range from $499-699, and the Platinum wedding bands range from $899-$1099.

Is Platinum or 14k Gold Hypoallergenic?

Platinum, being the purest of metals, is the most hypoallergenic metal. 14K Gold is not considered hypoallergenic because it is alloyed with additional metals. If you are allergic to metals such as nickel or copper, we advise you stick to Platinum or Yellow Gold options. Learn more about which metals are hypoallergenic here.

So, which metal is right for you? Both Platinum and 14K Gold have their benefits, so let’s do a quick overview to compare:

14k White Gold:

• More affordable
• More maintenance
• Not hypoallergenic
• A lighter metal

Platinum:

• More expensive
• Less maintenance
• Hypoallergenic
• More durable
• Heavier

Choosing a ring all depends on your lifestyle, personality and budget. If you’re looking for something timeless, light and doesn’t break the bank, 14K White Gold might be perfect for you. If you’re looking for something durable, prestigious and slightly heavier, Platinum is a good option. Both options offer an elegant feel that is sure to last through the ages. 

100% Recycled Gold and Platinum Wedding Bands

No matter what precious metal you go with from Hitched, you can count on the highest quality possible. Not only does Hitched offer a free lifetime guarantee on all of their wedding bands, we use 100% recycled metals. All of our 14K Gold and Platinum wedding bands are made using recycled materials during the manufacturing process, so you can purchase confidently.