Yes, people can tell the difference between white gold and platinum, though they look similar; platinum is naturally a deeper, muted grey-white and is denser, while white gold has a brighter, shinier look due to rhodium plating that wears off, revealing a slightly yellowish tint underneath, requiring replating. Key differences include platinum's natural white color, density, and patina development versus white gold's need for replating to maintain its bright white appearance.
While Platinum is a naturally white metal, White Gold is made by combining pure gold (which is yellow in colour) with alloying metals such as Palladium. Because of the yellow metal content, White Gold is actually slightly grey/off-white in colour. This can be corrected by a surface treatment called Rhodium plating.
But why do jewelers not like platinum? The answer lies in its unique properties that make it both a prized and challenging material to work with. Platinum is significantly denser than gold, making it heavier and more difficult to shape. This density also causes tools to wear down faster, increasing costs for jewelers.
The Magnet Test
A simple test that helps to determine if the white gold is original is the magnet test. True white gold is non-magnetic, so if you place a magnet close to the piece of jewellery and it draws to the item, then it has probably been made with steel or iron.
White gold will contain silver, and maybe palladium (neither are magnetic), or nickel (which is magnetic, but the proportion of nickel will be very low). So no matter what the gold mixture (carat), you will not be able to detect gold with a magnet.
Use a magnet, e.g. neodymium magnets (the most powerful) or the special 'Magnetic silver tester': if it's magnetic it can't possibly be gold (in this case, white gold), no further test is necessary. Read all about testing precious metals with magnets.
White gold jewellery can become scratched, especially when worn on a daily basis. White gold's rhodium plating will wear away over time. You'll need to have it re-plated (called rhodium plating) to keep its 'white' colour however, this is a simple process.
Toothpaste Test
Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the gold item and gently rub it. If the gold remains unaffected, it is likely genuine. Fake gold may exhibit signs of discoloration or wear.
Visual Test
Closely examine it to assess its color. Platinum has a lustrous silvery-white hue. It also develops a patina over time, a natural change in its texture and finish. So, checking the color and patina will give you a good indication of whether platinum is real or fake.
The value of white gold is usually the same as the value of red or yellow gold. The price per ounce of gold fluctuates on a daily basis, but it's usually between $1,100 and $1,300 per ounce.
Its dense, durable nature means it doesn't easily react with most chemicals. However, platinum is not completely impervious to damage. Chlorine, in particular, can affect platinum, albeit less severely than sterling silver or gold. Repeated exposure to chlorine can cause platinum to develop a dull appearance over time.
Don't handle bleach or harsh chemicals when wearing your platinum wedding ring. Although they won't hurt the platinum, chemicals may discolour some of the softer gemstones.
The "3-month ring rule" is an outdated marketing guideline suggesting spending the equivalent of three months' salary on an engagement ring, a concept created by De Beers to boost diamond sales, evolving from earlier one and two-month suggestions. Today, it's widely seen as a myth, with most couples prioritizing personal financial comfort, open communication, and meaningful choices over this arbitrary rule.
While white gold looks very similar to platinum, over time the the rhodium plating in white gold will wear off and fade to a yellowish tinge. Once you re-polish and re-plate the white gold ring, it will look white again. Platinum, which is naturally white, will not fade to yellow.
The only disadvantages to platinum are the higher cost and heavier weight. For example, platinum is a great metal for necklaces, bracelets and rings but not earrings, because the heavy weight may pull down more on your ears and cause discomfort.
Stampings and Markings
If you find a marking that contains the letters PT, Pt or Plat, you have found an item that is made of platinum. If you see a karat marking like K or k, usually accompanied by a number, the item is made of white gold.
Platinum jewelry is stamped 'PLAT' or '950'. The 950 platinum marking on the jewelry refers to the purity content of the platinum, so it's just 5% other metals in the alloy. Compared to 14K white gold for example, which is stamped '585' for 58.5% purity.
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Although white gold often includes nickel, a magnetic material, the amount used is generally too small to result in a significant magnetic effect. So, in most cases, white gold is not magnetic!
A different option is to fill a glass or cup with white vinegar and soak your gold there for 5 to 8 minutes before rinsing it with water. If the metal's colour has altered even a little, the gold is no longer pure; if the shine persists, the metal is still precious.
This is because white gold gets its distinctive “white” colour from the mixture of pure gold with alloy. The reason white gold has lower resale value than yellow gold is because alloy cost less but it also means the purity (karat) of your gold jewelry is diluted.
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You can wear a divorce ring on any finger that feels right, but common choices are the left ring finger (replacing the wedding ring), the right ring finger (for independence), or even a necklace, with no strict rules as it's a personal symbol of a fresh start or self-commitment.