Platinum vs gold
This can be a tough decision when choosing different types of metal, especially if you are buying important items such as wedding moissanite rings or engagement rings. Many people are torn between gold and platinum when making their decision. The differences between these two metals may seem small, but some very significant differences between gold and platinum should be noted.
Platinum and gold jewelry: Color differences
It's hard to spot the color difference between white gold and white gold. Platinum is often considered the best metal for making jewelry such as wedding and engagement moissanite rings, but in terms of appearance, white gold and platinum can be nearly identical. One major difference between platinum and gold is the finish: Platinum only has a silver finish, while gold can be yellow, rose, white, and other colors. Also, the color of gold varies slightly depending on the quality of the carat, so there are many different options. There are certainly fewer color options than gold, but platinum is a good choice for those who prefer silver finishes.
What are platinum and gold made of?
Platinum and some types of white gold may look similar, but the composition of platinum and gold is very different. In terms of purity, platinum moissanite rings have an average platinum content of 90-95% and have a higher strength than gold. On the other hand, 75% of an 18-karat gold ring is gold, so the price difference can be attributed to the amount of other rare metals required, as 25% is another alloy. The composition of 14-carat gold is 58.3% gold and 41.7% other alloys.
Interestingly, gold jewelry made of sterling silver, palladium, or copper tends to last longer than jewelry made of pure 24-karat gold. Therefore, in many cases, it is better to choose gold that is not 24 karat. In addition, the color of gold may vary depending on the other alloy types used. Therefore, some people may find that they prefer a certain type of gold alloy due to color differences.
Due to its natural density, platinum can be used to make fine jewelry with 95% platinum and only 5% silver alloys such as iridium, ruthenium, or cobalt.
durability
Durability is a very important factor to consider when choosing jewelry. Of course, this is especially true for jewelry such as weddings or engagement moissanite rings. Any jewelry that is worn frequently and for a long time should be made of the most durable metal. But what determines the durability of different metals? What is the difference in durability between gold and platinum? The durability of precious metals, then, depends on two main factors:
Wear, scratches, and surface wear are indicators of hardness.
· The ductility of a material refers to how easily it can be bent and formed. Ductility will make a certain metal less rigid/brittle and easier to bend.
Both metals have advantages and disadvantages when it comes to durability. A fine jewelry setting containing precious stones should be safe, reliable, and durable. The fact that platinum is a soft metal makes it easier to scratch, although it is stronger and more durable than gold. From a metallurgical point of view, platinum jewelry is more prone to scratches because its surface is very smooth. Jewelers can also bend and use gold because it is more malleable than platinum. Platinum also has a lower tendency to bend, which makes setting gemstones safer. However, scratches and some wear and tear are not always a bad thing. Many people like the antique look of platinum jewelry or the patina with scratches on the surface.
Platinum moissanite rings aren't the only jewelry that deteriorates with wear and tear; White gold jewelry will slowly return to its original yellow color. Although there are some durability issues with both materials, you should not rule out choosing either of these two metals. Most jewelers will offer cleaning or care options for your gold or platinum jewelry to keep it looking like new.
What about people who are allergic to metal?
As a hypoallergenic metal, platinum has several advantages over gold for people with allergies, one of which is that it does not contain nickel, which can cause allergic reactions in some people. The skin around some gold jewelry of moissanite rings can be irritated by nickel. When buying any jewelry for yourself or for people who are allergic to the metal, it is safer to use platinum.