Platinum vs Gold: Which is Best?

Platinum vs Gold has been a common debate amongst jewellery enthusiasts for decades, but which is the best?

Whether you are looking for a new jewellery piece or a gift for a loved one, we will help you to decide which metal is the best choice.

In today's blog post, we will compare the pros and cons of the two metals and some key things to consider.

What Is Platinum?

Platinum is a valuable metal known for its durability, purity, and distinctive white-silver appearance. It is one of the densest and heaviest metals, making it highly resistant to wear and tear. Platinum jewellery is hypoallergenic, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin.

What Is Gold?

Gold is a classic and timeless metal that can come in various shades, including yellow, white, and rose, depending on the alloy mix.

While gold jewellery requires regular maintenance to preserve its shine, its warm and rich colour makes it a popular choice for traditional and contemporary pieces.

Platinum vs Gold: Pros and Cons

Although both are great choices, let's go through the pros and cons of platinum and gold.

Platinum Pros

The pros to platinum are:

• Durability - platinum is a very strong metal, lasting a long time when maintained correctly.
• Hypoallergenic - platinum is a great choice for people with sensitive skin as its hypoallergenic properties will prevent the skin from reacting or being irritated.
• Rarity - platinum is rarer than gold meaning it may appeal more to people, increasing its value.

Gold Pros

• Timeless - gold is known for its appearance and value making this a classic choice among jewellery buyers.
• More Choice - gold is available in various shades namely yellow, white, and rose gold, offering options to suit different styles and preferences.
• High Liquidity - gold is easily recognisable and widely accepted worldwide, making it easy to buy and sell.

Platinum Cons

• Weight - platinum is dense and heavy, so it may be uncomfortable for everyday wear.
• Maintenance - platinum requires maintenance and cleaning to enhance its shine and look its best.

Gold Cons

• Maintenance - gold can tarnish over time so it's important that it is regularly polished and cleaned. White gold may also need replating with re-rhodium over time to maintain its shine and lustre.
• Durability - Pure 24-carat gold is relatively soft and may not be as durable for everyday wear, often requiring alloying with other metals to increase its strength.

Appreciating that both gold and platinum have pros and cons, you should consider what you are looking for in your jewellery.

Contemplate whether you want an occasion piece or an everyday wear item, and consider whether you are willing to upkeep regular maintenance on your pieces.

Care and Maintenance

Both metals need a certain level of upkeep to keep them looking their best and maintain their natural shine.

You may find that gold requires some attention as white gold can need re-rhodium plating over time more so than a platinum piece.

How Can I Keep My Pieces Tarnish Free?

This is a commonly asked question when it comes to jewellery, as nobody likes tarnished jewellery. Shower gels and lotions can build up over time and may cause tarnishing, and also the oils and dirt that can be collected by everyday wear.

To keep your jewellery looking its best, you should be keeping your jewellery in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and humidity.

Use jewellery boxes with anti-tarnish lining to prevent exposure to air and moisture.

Using a mild fragrance-free soap and warm water, or a specialised jewellery cleaning solution. Gently scrub with a soft brush to remove dirt, oils, and residues that can cause tarnishing.

Make sure you are removing your jewellery to shower, swim and bathe. This can expose your jewellery to harsh chemicals like chlorine.

Wearing your jewellery regularly can stop it from tarnishing too, as the natural oils in your skin help the jewellery to maintain its natural shine.

Some Things to Consider When Choosing Between Platinum and Gold

Whether you are looking for a piece for an important event or you just want to find a new everyday piece, there are some factors you should consider when choosing,

Budget

Thinking of a budget and sticking to it can sometimes be difficult when there are so many choices and designs available.

However, if you are sticking to a lower budget, then gold may be the best option for you as it is valued lower than platinum.

Design Preferences

Consider what style you are looking for - platinum has a cool, white-silver appearance that may complement modern and minimalist designs, while gold's warm, rich hues can enhance classic and vintage-inspired pieces.

You may also find more gold pieces with unique designs as gold is easier to melt down and mould into different styles.

So, Which is Best?

In terms of which is best, there is no clear answer for which is better - it all comes down to personal preference. You may find that platinum matches your style better, or you may prefer the classic look of gold.

If you’re looking for the public’s favourite answer, platinum was considered a more popular choice, but gold has seen a resurgence over the past 2 years. It’s purer, and more natural when compared to yellow and white gold.

Looking For The Perfect Piece of Platinum and Gold Jewellery?

Here at Miltons Diamonds, we are here to help you with all your gold and platinum choices. Whether you are looking for a gift for that special someone or treating yourself to something new, you will be sure to find the perfect piece with us.

We have been trading in luxury pre-owned watches and new & second-hand jewellery for over 100 years. Our stores are still family-owned and are now run by the 4th generation of the Miltons family. That is why we would love to help you to find a perfect gift as we know how important family is.

We buy and sell watches and gold, and also we sell new and used platinum. We have a large collection of jewellery and watches across our Merseyside stores and online store.