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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Wedding Bands - Platinum or White Gold

By les

Why does the argument continue - jewelry grade platinum or jewelry white gold? Considering there are so many different types of metal to choose from when selecting a set of wedding bands. There is gold, rose gold, white gold, silver, stainless steel and of course platinum.

From that group, gold, silver and platinum are the more common with platinum and white gold the two most popular. White gold is popular because of its platinum like qualities. Do you have a preference? Would you prefer platinum or white gold?

Jewelry White Gold - This is a mix of pure gold and other metals that turn it a white color. Metals used include silver, palladium, and nickel. Nickel is now used less due to its irritating effect on the skin. The combination used will determine the strength and the depth of white in the finished product.

White gold tends to last longer, particularly if the amount of gold is 50% or less, than other metals including platinum. White gold is also much less expensive than platinum, so if you want the look of platinum without the high price, then white gold is the best option.

Platinum is a naturally white metal so it does not need to be mixed with any other metals to form an alloy. Platinum is often used in medicine because it doesn't cause allergy problems. Doctors also generally recommend platinum jewely when it comes to body piercings since it causes no allergic reactions.

One of the reasons that platinum is more expensive than gold is because it doesn't have other metals blended in. The result is a wedding band that, size for size, is heavier than it's white gold counterpart.

If platinum is $300 per ounce, and gold $240 per ounce, a quick maths will reveal why platinum is so much more expensive. Platinum is used 100% pure at a cost of $200 for the ounce. White gold is mixed as an alloy and may only contain 50% gold with the remaining 50% made of cheaper metals like silver. This creates an alloy that costs only $200 per ounce. That is a big difference.

Wedding bands made of white gold tend to last longer than that made of platinum although this depends on the percentage of gold used. While platinum may be softer than white gold, it still holds its shape and, to those in the know, has a much purer whiteness when compared to white gold.

Which metal should you choose for your wedding bands? Both platinum and white gold look beautiful and will for many years. A wedding band is only a symbol that seals the wedding vows. It is the white purity associated with weddings that have made platinum and white gold the most popular metals used for wedding bands.

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