A Guide to White Metals: Platinum vs White Gold vs Sterling Silver
14K White Gold
- White gold is an alloy created by mixing yellow gold with white metals such as nickel, palladium, or silver.
- 14K gold contains 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% other metals.
- Because the metal naturally has a slight yellow tint, most white gold jewelry is coated with rhodium, a bright white metal that enhances its color and shine. Over time this coating wears down and typically needs reapplying every 2–3 years, which involves a cost.
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Platinum
- Platinum jewelry is made primarily from the naturally white precious metal platinum.
- Most pieces are 90–95% pure platinum, combined with small amounts of other metals to improve strength.
- Platinum is very durable and dense, making it an excellent choice for long-lasting jewelry. Because the metal is naturally white, it does not require rhodium plating.
- Choosing platinum typically increases the price by about 20–30% compared to 14K white gold.
For these reasons platinum is the best option if it fits your budget.
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Sterling Silver
- Sterling silver is an alloy made primarily of silver mixed with other metals, usually copper.
- It contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, which improve strength and durability. For this reason, many pieces are stamped “925.”
- This metal has a bright white appearance, but it can tarnish over time when exposed to air, moisture, or sulfur (such as from well water). Tarnish can usually be removed with regular cleaning or polishing.
- It is more affordable than both white gold and platinum, but also softer and less durable, making it more prone to scratches and bending over time.










