When it comes to choosing jewelry, a common question that often arises is, “Is platinum better than gold?”
The answer isn’t straightforward as it depends on various factors such as personal preference, budget, and the willingness to maintain the jewelry regularly. Both gold and platinum are precious metals widely used in crafting beautiful pieces of jewelry like diamond engagement rings, bracelets, and earrings.
This article aims to delve into the key differences between these two metals, their value, and their suitability as investments.
Gold and Platinum: A Comparison
Gold, in its natural form, has a distinct yellow or golden color that makes it appealing. However, white gold, created by mixing gold with white metals like silver or nickel and coated in rhodium, is also a popular choice. It takes on a very different appearance from the traditional yellow gold.
Platinum and white gold have a similar look, making them almost indistinguishable to the average consumer. However, there are key differences that may influence your decision on which is better.
Strength and Durability
While both gold and platinum are strong, platinum is harder and denser, making it more durable and less likely to break. This means there’s a smaller risk of losing any of the precious metal. However, ironically, platinum is also softer than gold, meaning it’s more likely to scratch or become damaged on the surface. This damage can be rectified with polishing. Similarly, the higher the karat of the gold, the more likely it is to scratch.
Allergies
It’s rare for someone to be allergic to either gold or platinum. However, allergies to other metals often mixed with gold, such as nickel, are quite common. Thanks to its purity, platinum is a much more hypoallergenic metal.
Maintenance
White gold and rose gold can change over time, losing their shine as they become yellowed. To restore them to their full glory, you’ll occasionally need to have your jewelry professionally polished and replated. With platinum, you’re more likely to get good results by cleaning your jewelry at home. If lower maintenance is important to you, then you may prefer platinum.
Platinum’s Value
Platinum is generally valued higher than gold due to its rarity, higher density, and purity. Platinum rings require more platinum than gold rings require gold, which can increase the overall cost. While gold can increase in value the higher the karat, platinum is almost always worth more than gold.
Platinum as an Investment
Like gold, platinum is considered a worthy investment, as you’re highly unlikely to make any loss. However, it isn’t completely risk-free. The price can fluctuate depending on demand. The demand for platinum is only increasing, so there’s money to be made by savvy investors. The price of platinum doesn’t affect the price of gold, and vice versa. Therefore, investors are recommended to have a diverse portfolio of investments across gold, platinum, and silver.
What Makes Platinum Special?
Around 1,500 tons of gold are mined every year, while only 150 tons of platinum are mined annually. This makes platinum much rarer than gold, and is another reason why it’s valued more highly. Gold is found in multiple regions worldwide, whereas platinum is predominantly found in South Africa, with 75% of the world’s platinum mined in the region, along with Zimbabwe and Russia. Platinum has even been found in meteorites.
Platinum vs. White Gold: Shine and Appearance
Platinum is exceptionally shiny, as is white gold when it’s new. However, white gold does have a tendency to discolor quickly. Because platinum is naturally white, it never discolors. This means it’s much easier to polish platinum, and it doesn’t need to be replated, unlike white gold. When new, both white gold and platinum are hard to tell apart. Only when worn for some time will it become apparent what is white gold and what is platinum.
Why Choose Platinum?
Choosing platinum over white gold boils down to personal preference. However, there are several key reasons why you might prefer platinum:
- Prestige: Platinum carries a certain level of prestige due to its rarity and value.
- Rarity: Platinum is much rarer than gold, making it a unique choice.
- Purity: Platinum is a purer metal, making it more hypoallergenic.
- Maintenance: Platinum is easier and less expensive to maintain than white gold.
- Investment: Platinum carries a low risk for investors.
Gold has a longstanding tradition associated with jewelry, and with good reason thanks to its beauty and prestige. However, platinum does have that extra level of durability and status, making it just that little bit more appealing for some consumers.
Whether you’re looking for a platinum or gold ring, it’s important to consider your personal preferences, budget, and maintenance capabilities. Both metals have their unique qualities and choosing between them often comes down to individual needs and desires.