Platinum and white gold are two of the most common precious metals used in men’s and women’s diamond set jewelry pieces. Contrary to popular belief being that these two precious metals share the same attributes and characteristics as they are similar in appearance, platinum and white gold are in all actuality imbued with distinctly different characteristics. These precious metals’ differing attributes will have a definite influence on your choice of diamond jewelry:

• White gold wedding rings, for example, are notably more affordable than platinum made wedding rings. The reason being that platinum is relatively rarer than white gold and, in addition to its rarity, requires a significant amount of craftsmanship in order to be properly soldered and welded into a high-med, luxury jewelry piece. Since platinum is rarer and since it is more difficult to craft, platinum diamond jewelry will generally be more expensive than white gold diamond jewelry.

• White gold jewelry is significantly less durable than platinum. Since platinum is so high in density, its dense structure lends it a strength and durability unmatched by most other precious metals. As such, customers who are looking for long lasting diamond jewelry, as is the case with wedding rings and engagement rings, would do well to choose platinum.

• Many customers are unaware that there is, in all actuality, no such thing as white gold. White gold is in fact yellow gold plated with a thin layer of rhodium which is responsible for the alloy’s silvery-white sheen. Unfortunately, the layer of rhodium tends to wear off after a time which forces many customers who have purchased white gold jewelry to re-plate their pieces. Re-plating jewelry is relatively inexpensive, although most customers prefer platinum diamond jewelry so as to avoid the hassle of taking their jewelry in to the jeweler’s to be re-plated.

• Platinum is known for being hypoallergenic and is therefore the recommended option for customers who have sensitive skin or other skin issues. Subsequently, customers who are looking to buy diamond jewelry, say stud earrings for example, would be safest choosing stud earrings made out of platinum, as stud earrings are worn within the earlobe, in close and constant contact to the skin, and may cause serious infections and inflammations if not made with the proper materials.

• Since white gold is less rare than platinum, white gold jewelry is more common and a large selection of jewelry made with white gold can be found at virtually any brick and mortar or online jewelry store while platinum made jewelry is a little harder to come by.