Platinum Engagement RingsPlatinum is the perfect metal for engagement rings as it’s the most superior precious metal known to man. In nature (when mined) it’s white only and not yellow like gold. However the refining process for platinum is like that of gold. The finished product is pure platinum in the form of bullion, coins, granules, sheeting and wire. For jewellery platinum needs to be mixed with approximately 3 – 5% alloy, such as ruthenium or nickel to harden it, otherwise it will be too soft for an engagement ring. Another advantage of platinum is that it is less likely it cause an allergy with the skin due to it’s high purity, which is why platinum is used in some medical procedures as well. An engagement ring made from platinum has these advantages: Platinum is very bright and white, never needs rhodium plating and is hard wearing, If a gold engagement ring could be handed down for 2 generations then the same engagement ring in platinum could be handed down 4 generations. An engagement ring made from platinum has these disadvantages: Platinum is a more expensive metal than gold and is harder and more time consuming to work with, so many jewellers will charge considerably more for platinum engagement rings compared to engagement rings made from 18 karat white gold, because white gold costs less and is easier to work with. If any resizing or repair work (especially near the setting) is required then it’s more difficult to work with a platinum engagement ring than it is with a white gold engagement ring. Having said all the above - white gold is still a better precious metal than yellow gold as the alloys that it contains are better than copper and silver which is the alloys contained in yellow and rose gold. White gold is heavier than yellow gold and rose gold, so in quality white gold sits between platinum and yellow gold. |