What is the difference between 14 karat white gold, 18 karat white gold, and platinum? Which one should I buy?
In your search for the perfect piece of jewelry, you've probably encountered 14 karat, 18 karat, and platinum in the descriptions. Each of them mean something different, but what's the best? Most importantly, what's the best for you?
For starters, gold is naturally yellow. White gold is mixed with other alloys, such as nickel or palladium, to give it the white appearance. Platinum is a solid metal, not mixed with any other alloys.
14 Karat White Gold
14 karat white gold can be determined by a little 14K or 585 symbol stamped on the inside of your jewelry. This means that 14 karat gold consists of 58.5% of real gold, and the rest are alloys.
18 Karat White Gold
18 karat white gold can be determined by a little 18K or 750 symbol stamped on the inside of your jewelry. This means that 18 karat gold consists of 75% of real gold, and the rest are alloys.
Platinum
Platinum is popular because it's hypoallergenic. 15% of the population has a nickel allergy, and considering gold is sometimes mixed with nickel, people can stray away from it. Platinum can be determined by a PT or 950 on it.
14K White Gold
18k White Gold
Platinum
Appearance
Visibly white at first, will develop a warmer hue over time the more you wear it. This can be fixed with polishing and rhodium plating.
Visibly white at first, will develop a warmer hue over time the more you wear it. This can be fixed with polishing and rhodium plating.
Will be white through and through. Over time can form a patina. Can be fixed with polishing.
Durability
Somewhat nick and scratch resistant. Overall hard metal
More nick, scratch, and oxidization resistant. The hardest most durable metal.
Will scratch and nick the easiest. Most bendable and malleable. Lasts generations.
Price
(the price of metals are determined by weight)
Least expensive of the three.
More expensive than 14 karat, but usually less expensive than platinum.
The cost of platinum per gram is less expensive than gold, however it is double the weight of gold, making it more costly.