Is Platinum Cheaper Than Gold?

Platinum is not cheaper than gold. When it comes to rings and other jewelry, platinum is generally more expensive than gold. A lot of this has to do with gold in its rawest form being quite soft. Thus, you can’t make jewelry out of the purest gold.

The gold jewelry you see in shops is a gold alloy. At the same time, platinum is hard enough to be converted into jewelry which is why platinum is generally more expensive than gold.

Is Platinum More Valuable Than Gold?

Platinum is more valuable than gold. There are several reasons behind this. Firstly, precious metals are priced by weight, and platinum is more dense than gold. Thus, platinum will be heavier and will be priced higher.

Secondly, we also find that the proportion of gold in most gold jewelry is relatively minor. The maximum amount it goes to is 75%, which means that proportion-wise, that’s not as much as platinum, which has 98% purity.

Thirdly, platinum is much rarer than gold. Thus, it’s more valuable. Every year, approximately 1,500 tonnes of gold are mined. In contrast, only about 160 tonnes of platinum are mined annually.

Platinum is also a lot more durable than gold, so many people are likely to value that material more.

What Is Better for Rings: Platinum vs. Gold?

One of the most critical questions that one wants to answer is the metal that’s better for engagement and wedding rings. Platinum is the more expensive material. So, if you’re looking for an investment in terms of your engagement ring, platinum is the one you should opt for as it is a better investment.

However, as it often goes, wedding and engagement rings aren’t just for investment. They are supposed to be intricate and beautiful. Platinum isn’t the best material for intricate and beautiful jewelry, which you should bear in mind.

Platinum is durable. Engagement and wedding rings are something that one will wear every day, so durability is essential. However, gold does fine in terms of durability. We often find that 14k and 18k gold is durable enough to handle everyday wear. Thus, there’s no need for you to only consider getting a platinum ring.

Platinum is a more robust and durable material. However, it’s also soft. Therefore, it’s more prone to scratches than white gold. The scratches on the surface will also make the platinum look more dated, which people can either love or hate.

Platinum is also hypoallergenic, one of the main advantages over white gold or even gold. Platinum rings are less likely to result in an allergic reaction, so you can quickly wear them throughout the day. If you want to buy an engagement ring for someone with a nickel allergy, platinum is your safest bet.

However, remember that a platinum ring will likely cost you more than a gold ring. Gold rings are much cheaper, and they are also available in different colors. You can have a gold ring in white gold, yellow gold, and even rose gold. Such options aren’t available for platinum.

If you want a more intricate design, gold is better. White gold and yellow gold can hold on to their shape more efficiently. So, if you want your ring to have a more delicate and intricate design, you would be better off with gold. Platinum is soft, so it can’t hold on to its shape for too long.

Can You Tell the Difference Between Platinum and White Gold?

We know that white gold is a more silvery form of gold. It does resemble platinum in color. However, there are ways to tell the difference between the two. The significant difference is that white gold will tarnish over time and turn yellow.

However, when it comes to platinum, fading does not occur. Platinum will retain its color. Platinum also doesn’t need to be repolished repeatedly. It is also a much purer substance, and this shows over time.

How Do You Keep Platinum From Scratching?

One of the biggest problems with platinum is how soft it is. It also has a lot of scratches which means that you need to protect platinum from scratches. It’s challenging to keep any metal from scratching. However, you can take specific steps to ensure the platinum doesn’t get tarnished. You can polish platinum quite easily.

If you don’t feel like doing it, the seller of your platinum ring will do it for a small fee or even for free sometimes.

When you polish gold, you’re essentially thinning it out. However, with platinum, you’re just shifting around the metal. If you want to shine your platinum, you can do just that. Before you polish, know that some people prefer to keep the patina that forms over their platinum jewelry.

Gold or Platinum, Which Is Better?

If you’re still having trouble deciding between gold or platinum, don’t worry! If you have the budget, go for platinum. Even though platinum costs more, the upkeep is quite simple and will not be very expensive. However, you will have to do more maintenance for gold or white gold, and the cost will go down the more you polish it.

Platinum is also better if you have precious stones like diamonds or emeralds in the mix. If you can’t afford platinum, gold is an attractive option that people have been using for years. All rings or jewelry require that you take care of it. Thus, your best chance is to find something you genuinely like and buy that. You have to decide on your priorities before you go shopping for a ring and once you know that you can decide.

Final Thoughts

Platinum is more expensive than gold, but platinum doesn’t need much upkeep. When you compare platinum to gold, you can swing either way.

However, platinum is generally a better investment because it’s likely to cost and be valued more than gold. However, if you’re interested in looks, gold is more aesthetically pleasing.

Gold is available in all sorts of colors, and it holds on to its shape and design better.