Should I buy white Gold Platinum or Palladium?

 

This question is not easy to answer as it is very much personal preference so it is something that you need to answer for your self.

 

Our guide to the pro’s and con’s of each may be of some help but feel free to ask our jewellers any questions. We have examples of  different precious metals in a worn state for you to compare and we are always happy to advise you.

 

 

White gold

 

 

 

Gold is not mined as a white metal but is created by alloying pure gold with white metals such as palladium, this largely overrides the gold’s natural colour but it will always have a faint hint of yellow.

Most white gold rings are then finished with a plating of rhodium which is a hard very bright metal from the platinum group that gives a brilliant mirror finish.  

White gold is available in 9ct, 14ct and 18ct gold and is generally whiter in the more gold rich alloys but the whiteness is dependant on the exact mix of the alloy.

 

Pros; White metal that is comparatively affordable, a huge range of jewellery items are available in white gold.

 

Cons: Does not have the true white appearance of platinum, to keep white gold looking at its best it will usually need re rhodium plating periodically.

 

Platinum

 

Platinum is a naturally white and rare precious metal.

Whilst it is actually quite soft when in its raw state when alloyed (usually in a mix of 95% platinum to 5% alloys) it is very hard and is an ideal metal for producing jewellery. Because of platinum’s hardness and high melting point it is far more difficult (and therefore expensive) to work than gold but it polishes to a high natural polish.

 

Pros; Strength and natural whiteness make platinum an ideal metal for producing jewellery, especially for the setting of gemstones.

 

Cons; Mainly the cost, going for platinum can add as little as £200.00 or as much as £1000 to the price of a comparable gold ring depending on the weight and complexity of the design, some designs can not be made in platinum, whilst most of our diamond rings and many of our other diamond products such as pendants and earrings can be made in platinum the choice of some jewellery such as chains and bracelets available in platinum is limited.

 

Palladium

 

A comparatively new metal to jewellery Palladium is a naturally white metal and a member of the platinum family. Its resistance to wear is similar to that of platinum and it is usually alloyed to the same 95% standard. It is substantially lighter than platinum which some will regard as a pro and others a con.

 

Pros; Price, a palladium ring will often be around ¼ of the price of the same ring made in platinum whilst it shares its qualities of hardness and ‘whiteness’.

 

Cons; Because of the difficulties in manufacturing in palladium the range of items available is limited, palladium is not well known.