Post # 1
Member
34 posts
Newbee
so I’ve read countless articles on the difference between platinum and white gold and I’m still torn on which to get.
I’m pretty sure I have a nickel allergy so I was thinking platinum, but I saw the patina platinum gets ( an aged, grayish, antique-y look). I like the shine of white gold better. Would palladium be a better compromise? To be hypoallergenic and shiny?
can platinum be replated to look shiny again? I just hate the grayish color and want my engagement ring and band to be as white and shiny as possible.
Thanks!
Post # 2
Member
1310 posts
Bumble bee
I have rings made of all these metals. Palladium wears like platinum so it will also get that patina. In my experience no jewellers will work with palladium so if it’s between those two go with platinum. My ering is platinum and my wedding band is palladium and they look great together, but eventually I want my wband in platinum also.
I like my white gold ring because it is super white and shiny!! But after having the hefty platinum it feels “ok” on my hand. I do love that ring tho. 
platinum/palladium set. 
white gold aqua marine and diamond ring.
Post # 3
Member
532 posts
Busy bee
I have platinum and i love it! It feels so heavy in comparison to white gold which I like but i got it due to a previous reaction to a WG ring.
It does scratch very easily because apparently it’s softer than gold but I’ve been told to get it polished once a year and that will prevent the patina from forming and it should come back looking brand new and scratch free!
My sisters ring is WG and within a year ir had started to yellow and she had to have it re-dipped so I think either one is going to require upkeep.
Can’t comment on palladium but we’re seriously considering it for FHs wedding band – it seems ‘as good’ as platinum at the fraction of the cost!
i also obsessively polish mind with a cleaning cloth which definitely helps keep it looking shiny!
Post # 4
Member
532 posts
Busy bee
I just found this close up from when I was playing with macro features on my camera. It shows all the little scratches in SO much detail but I think it gives you a good idea of platinum. Bear in mind that ring has been on my hand pretty much constantly for the last 9 months and I’m pretty heavy with it and it doesn’t look anything like that in real life unless you’re really staring at it closely!
Post # 5
Member
6560 posts
Bee Keeper
I sometimes think people confuse “patina” for platinum turning colour or becoming gunmetal grey. Platinum remains the same colour (unless it was originally plated, but it will still be very similar), but just develops tiny scratches, much like polished yellow gold will develop a “patina” of scratches. That doesn’t change the actual colour of either the platinum or the yellow gold; it just makes it less shiny and reflective of light.
I very much prefer platinum for white metals. My skin chemistry wears away the plating on white gold in almost no time, and I dislike the yellower tone that often shows through (although this depends on the alloy of the white gold). Platinum overall is almost entirely non-reactive, which means that it will not be damaged by most household chemicals or by the chlorine in a pool. Because it contains no nickel, it doesn’t cause allergic reactions, either.
Each time a gold ring is polished, it will lose a tiny amount of metal, but that is not true for platinum. If a person has their white gold ring polished and plated yearly, that adds up to a lot of wear. For me, the benefits of platinum far outweigh the fact that it doesn’t remain like-new shiny forever.
Post # 6
Member
3389 posts
Sugar bee
CaitlenW: platinum! It is hypoallergenic, has a lovely heft, and never needs to be replated. I’ve had my platinum e-ring for over a year, and haven’t had it polished yet. These are a few pictures from the last few months that show how shiny it still is, even with all the tiny scratches that platinum accrues over time.
Post # 7
Member
1700 posts
Bumble bee
Platinum because I’m so allergic to most metals. It’s amazing to never worry about having an allergic reaction to it! I mean, yellow gold is an alternative but because it’s so soft, it’s pretty unideal for a e-ring. Re-plating a white gold ring frequently would drive me bananas.
Post # 8
Member
155 posts
Blushing bee
- Wedding: November 2013 - Stillwell House
marinarosalin: Yellow gold is not unideal — 10k and 14k are fine. 18k or higher are when softness becomes a concern. I have 14k yellow gold rings that have been worn constantly for 20 years with no issues, including a diamond solitaire 4-prong.
Post # 9
Member
427 posts
Helper bee
I’m also allergic to nickel. We had a smallish ring budget and we couldn’t spend $$$ on a platinum setting if we also wanted a diamond. My Fiance bought me a 14k white gold ring from Ritani. They do not use nickel as an alloy. I’ve been wearing it every day for 2.5 months and I don’t react at all. I’m very happy with my ring.
Originally, we were looking at palladium, but were hesitant after reading many jewellers won’t work with it and that resizing is difficult.
Post # 10
Member
3307 posts
Sugar bee
Palladium alloy white gold doesn’t need replating, doesn’t get yellow, stays white. No nickel, which is what causes irritation.
Post # 11
Member
1700 posts
Bumble bee
Hellish88: I’m definitely allergic to low karats of yellow gold when they have alloys mixed in. All gold I have and wear is ~18k and up. I think 10k and 14k are the most beautiful though. You are lucky you can wear them.
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