Platinum vs. White Gold — What's the Difference?

Used primarily in a pure form in jewelry.

Popular for its bright, white finish resembling platinum.

Platinum is hypoallergenic, making it ideal for sensitive skin.

Less expensive than platinum but with maintenance costs.

Heavier and denser than most other metals used in jewelry.

Requires occasional re-plating to maintain its color and luster.

More expensive due to its rarity and purity.

An alloy of gold with white metals like nickel or palladium, often coated with rhodium.

A trademark for a certification indicating that a recording, such as an album of music, has sold a million copies.

Can sometimes cause allergic reactions due to the metals used in the alloy.

Symbol Pt A silver-white metallic element occurring in alluvial deposits in sperrylite and nickel ores, usually mixed with other metals such as iridium, osmium, or nickel. It is ductile and malleable, does not oxidize in air, and is used as a catalyst and in electrical components, jewelry, dentistry, and electroplating. Atomic number 78; atomic weight 195.08; melting point 1,768.2°C; boiling point 3,825°C; specific gravity 21.45 (20°C); valence 2, 3, 4. See Periodic Table.

A medium to light gray.

The chemical element with atomic number 78 and symbol Pt; a dense, malleable, ductile, highly unreactive, silverish-white transition metal of great value.

A whitish grey colour, like that of the metal.

(music) A single or album that has achieved platinum sales, i.e. over 1 million or 2 million.

A platinum-based drug: a platin#Etymology 2.

Of a whitish grey colour, like that of the metal.

Of a musical recording that has sold over one million copies (for singles), or two million (for albums).

Very expensive, or of very high quality

(computer games) to reach platinum level in a game

A metallic element of atomic number 78, one of the noble metals, classed with silver and gold as a precious metal, occurring native or alloyed with other metals and also as the platinum arsenide (sperrylite). It is a heavy tin-white metal which is ductile and malleable, but very infusible (melting point 1772° C), and characterized by its resistance to strong chemical reagents. It is used for crucibles in laboratory operations, as a catalyst, in jewelry, for stills for sulphuric acid, rarely for coin, and in the form of foil and wire for many purposes. Specific gravity 21.5. Atomic weight 195.1. Symbol Pt. Formerly called platina.

A heavy precious metallic element; gray-white and resistant to corroding; occurs in some nickel and copper ores and is also found native in some deposits

A precious, naturally white metal known for its durability and purity.

Platinum is a naturally white, dense, and durable precious metal.

Platinum is durable and resistant to scratches, though it can develop a patina over time.

White gold can lose its luster as the rhodium plating wears off, but can be re-plated.

Yes, due to its density, platinum jewelry is heavier.

White gold is an alloy of gold with white metals, often coated with rhodium.

It varies, but typically every 1-3 years depending on wear.

Platinum's rarity, higher density, and purity make it more expensive.

Check for markings: platinum is often marked as "950 Plat" or "Pt950," while white gold may be marked with the karat and "WG" for white gold.

White gold is often chosen for its lower cost and similar appearance to platinum.

Yes, both can be resized, but platinum resizing is more complex and may cost more.

Yes, platinum is hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin.

It depends on the alloy; some white gold contains nickel, which can cause allergic reactions.

White gold is durable but not as resistant to wear and tear as platinum.

Platinum is naturally hypoallergenic, while white gold may cause allergies depending on the alloys used.

No, platinum requires minimal maintenance compared to white gold.