Platinum is a beautiful white metal that’s loved for its pure color and high durability. This precious metal is even more rare than gold, which means it is also a bit more expensive than gold. But is it worth it to spend more for a platinum engagement ring?
Ultimately, only you can decide whether platinum is worth its higher price tag. Platinum has unique advantages, but whether those advantages are appealing to you all comes down to personal preference. To help you decide if platinum is a good choice for your engagement ring, we’re sharing the six main benefits of platinum jewelry.
1. Beauty That Stands the Test of Time
Platinum is a naturally white metal that does not tarnish or discolor. It will keep its stunning white color for a lifetime. The same can’t be said about platinum’s main competitor: white gold.
In spite of its name, white gold is actually slightly yellow. It’s an alloy made up of pure gold, a soft metal, and strong white metals. Pure gold has a rich yellow color, so white gold has a slightly yellow color no matter its karat.
To give white gold jewelry a bright white look, jewelers cover it in rhodium plating. Rhodium is bright white and highly reflective, but it is not durable. It wears off over time, revealing the slightly yellow-white gold alloy beneath it.
With platinum, you never have to worry about yellowing. It’s naturally white throughout and very durable, so its captivating color will stand the test of time.
2. Pure and Hypoallergenic
Platinum jewelry is the most hypoallergenic precious metal. This is in part due to its purity and in part due to its composition.
Like solid gold, platinum is an alloy that contains a mixture of metals. But platinum contains more of its pure metal form compared to alloys like yellow gold and white gold. Platinum is typically between 90% and 95% pure platinum. This is significantly more than 18k gold, which is 75% pure gold, or 14k gold, which is 58.3% pure gold.
Unlike gold alloys, platinum is unlikely to contain common metal allergens. Platinum is mixed with a small amount of metal that is designed to make it more malleable. It’s commonly mixed with palladium, rhodium, iridium, or titanium, none of which are common allergens. Gold alloys are mixed with a substantial amount of base metals, which are more likely to be allergens. Nickel often found in white gold, is among the most common causes of an allergic reaction to the jewelry.
3. Low Maintenance Metal
Platinum is an exceptionally durable metal that does not tarnish or discolor. This makes it extremely low maintenance, especially compared to white gold.
If you want to maintain the look of white gold jewelry, you’ll need to take it to a jeweler for rhodium plating from time to time. You generally need to rhodium dip frequently worn rings, such as engagement rings, every six months to a year.
Platinum rings, on the other hand, require little to no upkeep. Over time, platinum can develop a subtle patina that gives it a satiny effect. Most people love this patina. However, if you don’t, you can easily remove a platinum patina with a bit of polishing.
4. White Color Reflects in Diamond Color
Did you know the color of your ring setting can affect the perceived color of your center diamond? Diamonds create sparkle by capturing and reflecting the light around them. But they also reflect other things that are around them, including their setting. A white ring setting can help a diamond look slightly whiter by virtue of reflection, so platinum is a good metal choice if you want your center diamond to look as white as possible.
5. Durable and Highly Secure
Platinum is a strong and impressively durable metal, making it an excellent choice for everyday wear. Over time, gold can wear away and become thin, but platinum never wears down. Even if it becomes scratched, platinum doesn’t lose metal. The scratched part of the platinum will shift, rather than fall away.
The strength and durability of platinum make it particularly good for engagement rings and wedding rings, especially more intricate designs that feature many gemstones. The prongs on a platinum setting stay in place well, helping keep your jewelry’s gemstones more secure.
6. Dense With a Quality Feel
Platinum is quite dense for a precious metal, which means it is also heavier than other precious metals. Platinum is around 60% heavier than 14k gold. Many people find that this added weight makes a platinum piece of jewelry feel more luxurious.
This higher weight is noticeable when you wear platinum. In a way, it serves as a constant reminder of how strong and high quality this beautiful precious metal is. If you’re prone to losing jewelry, it can also be a good reminder that you are, in fact, still wearing your ring.
Final Thoughts on Platinum Rings
Still wondering if platinum is right for you? Browse our full selection of platinum engagement rings and wedding bands. You can shop our online selection by clicking the link below or try on rings in person by visiting our showroom in Downtown Los Angeles.