A common question jewellers often hear is, ‘Is platinum better than gold?’ Honestly, there is no one definitive answer because it all depends on your preference, lifestyle, budget, and whether or not you’re willing to maintain your jewellery regularly.
Both gold and platinum are precious metals used to make beautiful pieces of jewellery, and they vastly differ in appearance, durability, and price. In this blog, we’ll compare the differences between the two metals to help you decide which is best for you.
What is Gold?
Gold is a classic metal that comes in three shades—yellow, white, and rose—depending on the alloy mix. For example, white gold is created by mixing gold with metals such as nickel or silver and coating it in rhodium to offer a nice white sheen. Meanwhile, 14K white gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals, equating to approximately 58.3% pure gold. This seemingly small numerical difference has significant real-world implications for the ring you wear every day.
The warm and rich hue of gold makes it a popular choice for traditional and contemporary pieces. However, gold jewellery requires regular maintenance to retain its shine and lustre.
What is Platinum?
Platinum is another valuable metal with a distinctive white-silver appearance. It is known for its purity and durability. Platinum is one of the heaviest metals, highly resistant to wear and tear. Moreover, platinum jewellery is hypoallergenic, meaning it is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Difference between Platinum & Gold
- Strength
Despite both gold and platinum being strong, platinum is harder. Moreover, platinum is denser than gold, making it more durable and less likely to break. According to GIA (Gemological Institute of America), platinum is an excellent choice for wedding and engagement rings as it is strong and less brittle than gold alloy.
Overall, platinum is a fantastic choice for those who prioritise longevity and wish to wear their jewellery everyday.
- Softness
Although platinum is stronger than gold, it is apparently softer, which means platinum is more likely to become damaged on the surface or get scratched. However, you can rectify this problem with polishing.
For gold, the higher the carat, the more likely it is to get scratched like platinum.
- Allergies
While the percentage of people allergic to gold or platinum is significantly low, it still exists. According to reports, almost 10% of individuals are allergic to gold. Allergies actually exist when gold is mixed with other metals, such as nickel. On the other hand, due to platinum’s purity, it is a much more hypoallergenic metal.
Allergies are generally more common in 14ct gold than in 18ct gold. This is because 14ct gold contains a higher percentage of metal alloys, such as copper, zinc, or nickel, which can cause allergic reactions.
- Platinum: 95% pure platinum with 5% alloy metals
- 18ct gold: 75% pure gold and fewer alloy metals
- 14ct: 58.5% pure gold with a higher percentage of alloy metals. More likely to cause allergies.
- Maintenance
Rose and white gold tend to lose their shine over time and become yellowed. To restore them to their glory, you need to occasionally have your jewellery polished professionally.
However, platinum, on the other hand, is far more likely to retain its shine, and you can get good results by cleaning your platinum jewellery at home. If lower maintenance is what you want for your piece of jewellery, choose platinum.
- Price
Due to its rarity, superior density, and higher purity, platinum is generally more valuable than gold. Because of its scarcity, platinum costs almost 30% higher than gold on average. Moreover, platinum rings require more platinum than gold required in making gold jewellery, increasing the overall cost.
While the value of gold increases with the carat, platinum will still remain worth more than gold.
- Investment Value
While platinum holds its value well, gold has a long history of being a more liquid asset, and its price fluctuates based on the market. If you’re purchasing jewellery as an investment, both platinum and gold are valuable.
Conclusion: Which is Best?
Ultimately, the choice between gold and platinum is completely up to you. Platinum is best if you value rarity, strength and a modern look. On the other hand, if you prefer a more affordable metal with a rich hue, gold may be your best choice. So, it all boils down to your needs and preferences.
Both gold and platinum are beautiful metals, and there’s no wrong decision. Consider your lifestyle, aesthetic preference and budget when selecting the perfect metal for your jewellery, and enjoy timeless elegance for years to come.
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