Platinum and white gold are visually very similar and are used in very similar types of ring settings, making it hard for the average person with an untrained eye to tell the difference between Platinum Wedding Rings and white gold wedding rings. Here are some of the main differences and identifying traits between these two beautiful but very different precious metals.
Platinum wedding rings will always show platinum’s natural pale whitish grey colour. Platinum wedding rings will always be made with other alloy metals, but not nearly as much as white or yellow gold. Platinum wedding rings are 95% pure platinum, whereas white gold or yellow gold jewelry is about 60 percent pure gold if it is 14 karat and 75% pure gold if it is 18 karat. Platinum also has a far higher density than any type of gold, making it always twice as heavy, and it is stronger. Both metals are rare, but platinum is rarest metal in the world, so its price is significantly higher.
White gold is simply natural yellow gold alloyed with pale metals like platinum, palladium, and nickel to lighten its color, and white gold jewelry is almost always electroplated with rhodium to give it its bright white shine. Over time the rhodium will wear away and expose the gold’s more yellowish natural color and will need to be reapplied. Platinum wedding rings, on the other hand, do not need to be plated or lightened in alloys because platinum is naturally white.
Platinum is harder and stronger than gold too, so Mens Platinum Rings are very popular as sturdier counterparts to ladies wedding bands and engagement rings in white gold. That way she can have the delicate, finely tooled and detailed ring of her dreams and his Mens Platinum Bands can match her wedding and engagement rings in color but not ding or break. Platinum wedding rings are also a smart choice for men because they are so low maintenance. Along with not having the rhodium plating wear problem of white gold wedding rings, platinum wedding rings are harder to scratch than gold and they will not tarnish. If your platinum wedding rings start to look dark of discolored, they are not tarnished or permanently damaged, they are just dirty! Platinum wedding rings do collect dirt, oils from skin, cosmetics, food, and work, and other basic grime that can accumulate on anything, but all that’s needed is a simple soap and water buffing.
Differences Between White Gold Rings and Mens Platinum Rings
Mens Diamond Bands as Modern Engagement Rings For Men
A revolution is taking place, and more and more men are now being given Mens Diamond Rings as engagement rings. It used to be that if a woman wanted to get married, even if she had been in a relationship for a very long time she was expected to wait until he got around to asking her. Now increasing numbers of ladies are choosing to pop the question themselves, and Mens Diamond Bands are great rings for this modern gesture. Even if he asks, it’s becoming more common for the couple to declare their status equally and allow the man to share in the receiving of gifts. While mens engagement rings are becoming more everyday, many men are still not aware of this change and may initially resist the idea of wearing or even accepting mens diamond rings as engagement rings. The best way to approach the concept of his wearing a ring is to discuss it as a couple, look over options in mens diamond rings and other mens ring styles, and consider if one partner should expect or be expected to wear an engagement ring if the other does not. If he does choose to wear a mens diamond ring or another engagement ring, the couple can choose one together after talking it over in order to find the best ring choice. Mens diamond rings do not have large, high set diamonds in fancy bands like rings for women. Mens diamond rings usually have smaller gems set into channel settings of tension settings more flat or flush with the band itself, which is more subtle and makes the diamonds more secure (since men are prone to damage fragile items during work, home repairs, sports, and so on.) Channel set diamonds are less likely to be damaged and thus much more practical for mens diamond rings, and their recessed placement and squared edges are more subtle and make mens diamond rings that are more masculine.
A woman can also have the inside of the mens diamond rings engraved with a symbolic phrase, calendar date, initials, or some other nod to the unique and special bond between the couple without making too flashy or busy of a ring. Of course plain gold rings or rings made from other metals are completely acceptable, but the tradition of diamond engagement rings is simply here to stay, and mens diamond rings are available in several elegant, tasteful styles that aren’t overt. If a man really has an issue with the idea of an engagement ring, he can simply begin wearing his Mens Diamond Wedding Rings early, or another type of gift can and should be given upon engagement.