White Metals Comparison

White Metals Comparison by Corey Egan
White Metals are a popular choice for modern wedding or engagement rings. This popularity makes sense. Silvery white precious metals are timeless and they compliment many skin tones. A variety of precious metals are naturally white in color, unlike yellow or rose, which are only available in gold alloys. Each type of metal has a slightly different hue as well as its own sets of benefits and drawbacks.
Gold, Palladium, Platinum and Rhodium are individual elements on the periodic table. All have unique properties that make them desirable for jewelry production. These characteristics affect the purity we need to use for jewelry alloys, as well as the metal density and the way it wears over time.
Each precious metal is individually traded in the stock market. This means the prices of each metal fluctuate with supply and demand independent from one other.

DECIDING WHICH WHITE METAL IS BEST FOR YOU BOILS DOWN TO THREE FACTORS: MAINTENANCE, DENSITY, AND PRICE. 

Rhodium, 14K Nickel White Gold, 14K Palladium White Gold, 18K Palladium White Gold, Palladium & Platinum - White Metals Comparison by Corey Egan

Three precious metals covered in my Guide to Precious Metals will be used in the following head-to-head matchups : White Gold, Platinum, and Palladium.

WHITE GOLD VS. PLATINUM 

14k Palladium White Gold vs. Platinum - White Metals Comparison by Corey Egan

White gold jewelry typically has a lower price point than platinum. A large part of this price difference is due to the fact that platinum alloy used contains 95% platinum whereas a white gold ring will have 58.5% (14 karat) to 75% (18 karat) gold content. Platinum is also more dense, meaning a finished ring of the same size and shape weighs more.

Platinum is hypoallergenic and naturally more white in color than white gold. White gold can be rhodium plated to achieve a whiter finish, but that plating will require extra maintenance over time.  

For a full description of each of these metals, please read my Guide to Precious Metals. 

WHITE GOLD VS. PLATINUM

 
WHITE GOLD
PLATINUM
LOWER PRICE
 
PURITY
58.5% - 75% pure gold 90-95% pure platinum
WHITEST COLOR
 
HYPOALLERGENIC
alloys containing Nickel are NOT hypoallergenic
MAINTENANCE
may require rhodium plating every 2 years high polished platinum will develop a worn patina over time

Shop Wedding BandsWHITE GOLD VS. PALLADIUM 

14k Palladium White Gold vs. Palladium - White Metals Comparison by Corey Egan

Like platinum, palladium is hypoallergenic and naturally more white in color than white gold. It is used in the same purity as well, 95% pure. Palladium is less dense than gold or platinum, making the finished ring feel very lightweight. It's also the most scratch resistant of the white metals. 

The price of a finished ring in palladium typically falls between the price of a 14 karat gold ring and an 18 karat gold ring. 

For a full description of each of these metals, please read my Guide to Precious Metals.

WHITE GOLD VS. PALLADIUM

 

WHITE GOLD

PALLADIUM

LOWER PRICE
 
PURITY
58.5% - 75% pure gold 90-95% pure palladium
WHITEST COLOR
 
HYPOALLERGENIC
alloys containing Nickel are NOT hypoallergenic
MAINTENANCE
may require rhodium plating every 2 years more scratch resistant

PALLADIUM VS. PLATINUM Palladium vs. Platinum - White Metals Comparison by Corey Egan

Palladium and platinum are both platinum family metals on the periodic table of elements. Both are used at 95% purity in their alloys, but since palladium is less dense the finished ring will weigh less. Both metals are hypoallergenic and have a naturally white color which requires no rhodium plating. Both metals are excellent for stone setting and holding gems in place.

Palladium's lighter weight and lower price tag are typical reasons one would choose palladium over platinum.  

Platinum's rarity and significant weight are typical reasons one would choose platinum over palladium. 

For a full description of each of these metals, please read my Guide to Precious Metals.

PALLADIUM VS. PLATINUM

 
PALLADIUM
PLATINUM
LOWER PRICE
 
PURITY
90-95% pure platinum 90-95% pure platinum
WHITEST COLOR
 
HYPOALLERGENIC
MAINTENANCE
more scratch resistant high polished platinum will develop a worn patina over time

RHODIUM PLATING

Rhodium Plating vs. 14k Nickel White Gold - White Metals Comparison by Corey Egan

As discussed in my Precious Metals Comparison, many white gold alloys are rhodium plated.

Rhodium is a precious metal in its own right and a member of the platinum family on the periodic table of elements. Coating your white gold jewelry in rhodium gives the metal a bright white color, but this layer eventually wears off. This plating usually needs to be reapplied every 1 to 2 years, but depending on the wearer’s body chemistry and wearing habits it could be as frequently as every 6 months.

Compare the Colors and Properties of White Metals - Rhodium Plating, 14k White Gold, 14k Palladium White Gold, 18k Palladium White Gold, Palladium and Platinum - by Corey Egan

 


About the Author

As a long-time jewelry designer, I love the process of sculpting, engraving, and setting everything by hand. Through my exploration of texture-driven techniques and organic shapes, I hope you can feel my passionate energy and intention behind every piece.

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