white metal comparison

by Sara Bautista

Sterling Silver

Sterling silver is the whitest precious metal. But it's rather soft, scratches easily and can develop a dark tarnish over time. I don't recommend it for engagement or more delicate wedding rings. Sterling silver is 92.5% Silver and 7.5% other metals, mostly copper.

  • Pros: inexpensive, very white
  • Cons: very soft, not durable to withstand daily wear and tear, tarnishes easily

Platinum

  • Platinum is a naturally white metal that will not tarnish in air.
  • It does not require rhodium plating to maintain its whiteness.
  • Platinum is considered being Hypoallergenic, the perfect choice for those with sensitive skin.
  • It has a greater wear resistance compared with white gold in terms of metal loss and is very durable. Platinum jewelry will weigh the same in 50 years as it does today - meaning your platinum ring could be worn by generations! It's ideal for heirloom jewelry.
  • Being one of the densest elements on earth, rings in platinum are heavier than gold or palladium rings.
  • All precious metals will scratch, however, when platinum scratches, it tends to displace rather than lose metal weight. It will develop a patina like appearance with wear and can easily be re-polished to it's original shine. Your platinum jewelry will outlast other precious metal jewelry and hold stones in place more securely.
  • Platinum is the rarest precious metal, embodying timeless beauty and individuality.

14K Palladium White Gold/ 18K Palladium White Gold

  • Nickel free white gold that does not need rhodium plating. No rhodium plating means lower maintenance. It has a warm gray hue (it will not match your rhodium plated white gold jewelry).
  • Palladium white gold is an alternative for people being allergic to standard nickel white golds.
  • 18kPDW is slightly brighter in color than 14kPDW and also a bit harder and more scratch resistant than 14k palladium white gold, platinum or palladium.
  • 14k white gold is made up of 58.3% fine gold and 41.7% other metals, 18k gold is made up of 75% fine gold and the rest other metals. The other metals are usually silver, copper and palladium.
  • 18k white gold is purer and has a higher content of non reactive / non tarnishing metals, so it's less likely to discolor or cause allergies than 14k gold. 18k white gold is a bit heavier than 14k white gold and more expensive. All gold alloys react to chlorine in water and can get damaged and porous over time and with long exposure.
  • As with all gold alloys there are variations in color hue even with the same purity depending on exact alloy composition. Some are more yellow than others. I can't guarantee your wedding ring and engagement ring will match exactly if not ordered at the same time.  

 

Back to Blog