Platinum is roughly 60% more dense than gold. This is the reason why the same design in Platinum will be heavier than gold. Although gold can be considered stronger in the sense of it being harder to bend, the density of Platinum and its unlikelihood of wearing away from daily wear gives it the advantage.
As a guide, comparative weight differences work out as follows. Platinum is approx 88% heavier than 9ct Gold. Platinum is approx 34% heavier than 18ct Gold. Platinum is approx 11% heavier than Fine Gold.
Platinum is the heaviest of all the precious metals weighing approximately twice as much as karat gold. Its purity makes it hypo-allergenic, perfect for people who are sensitive to the alloys used in gold.
Platinum is generally valued higher than gold. This is because platinum is rarer than gold, has a higher density and is purer. Platinum rings require more platinum than gold rings require gold, which can increase the overall cost.
Platinum is denser, heavier and stronger than white gold. Platinum is heavier (specific gravity: 21.4) than gold (specific gravity: 19.3). Platinum is 60% more dense than Gold.
Platinum is easier to maintain over time than white gold. Platinum is also the most hypoallergenic of all metals, because of its purity. Platinum is made of 95% pure platinum, where white gold is made out of 75% pure gold, and 25% other metals.
Polishing or re-polishing of a platinum jewel will result in almost no loss of weight or metal content whereas with gold, a jewel might lose roughly 10% of its weight. Therefore a Platinum jewel can be re-polished much more safely than a gold piece.
To be considered platinum, a piece must contain 95% or more of the metal, making it one of the purest precious metals you can buy. Over time, platinum will fade in a different way. It won't turn yellow, like yellow gold; but, it will begin to lose its shiny finish and build a natural patina (more on this in a bit).
For starters, gold is far more abundant in the earth's crust, making platinum rarer. Whilst 1,500 tons of gold are mined annually, only 160 tons of platinum are extracted. Platinum is also denser than gold, thus heavier.
It is extremely resistant to tarnishing and corrosion (which makes it known as a “noble metal”) and is very soft and malleable, making it easy to shape. It is also ductile, making it easy to stretch into wire, and unreactive, which means it doesn't oxidize and is unaffected by common acids.
The rarest stable metal is tantalum. The rarest metal on earth is actually francium, but because this unstable element has a half life of a mere 22 minutes, it has no practical use.
Currently the most expensive precious metal and one of the rarest, the price per ounce of rhodium stands at $10,300 at the time of publication.
Tungsten, which is Swedish for "heavy stone," is the strongest metal in the world. It was identified as a new element in 1781. It is commonly used to make bullets and missiles, metal evaporation work, manufacturing of paints, creating electron and Television tubes, and making glass to metal seals.
Platinum is more dense than gold. The same amount of platinum weighs 60% more than gold. This is because on a molecular level there are more and smaller molecules packed into that little bit of space in platinum. Platinum's density allows it to be used in a purer form than gold.
Platinum Scratches Easier than 14k Gold
Despite being more durable, platinum is actually a softer metal than 14k gold. This means it will scratch a little easier than 14k gold. However, an important thing to note is that when gold is scratched, the gold is lost (and it looks like a scratch).
Well, the quick answer is that platinum is harder because it is denser and more durable than gold, which is actually a soft metal by nature. However, you might be surprised to hear that platinum actually scratches easier than 14k gold.
Platinum is a very dense metal which means it has excellent resistance to wearing away. A wedding ring made in Platinum could be worn for decades and barely lose any thickness at all. The downside of Platinum is that it tends to lose its high polish and sharp edges fairly quickly.
Platinum jewelry is a bit iffy, since it tends to be more difficult to sell. How much you'll get for platinum in this form is often dependent on current market conditions and other economic factors. Plus, platinum jewelry, regardless of market factors, tends to be only worth its refining or smelting value.
Gold prices tend to move more slowly than the price of silver and platinum, with the latter two seen as being more volatile, in part because of their wider use within industry. The best option for your own circumstances is likely to depend upon your attitude to risk and whether you are seeking a long-term investment.
One disadvantage associated with platinum jewelry is its high cost relative to other types of metals, such as Gold and Silver.
Similarly, diamonds are porous and can absorb water, which can cause the stone to become discolored or cloudy. On the other hand, platinum is a strong, durable metal that is less likely to be damaged by water.
Platinum develops a patina over time, and will lose its shiny finish that it has in the beginning. The platinum patina is a charming characteristic of the metal—but if you would like to restore your ring back to its original lustre, all you would have to do is take it back to your jeweller for a simple polish.
This gleaming precious metal scratches over time despite Platinum's cost and luxurious reputation. Like most other metals, small scratches appear from the first day of wearing an item of jewellery. The high polish of Platinum dulls to a natural semi-worn appearance.
To clean your platinum jewelry, mix the dish soap and a couple drops of ammonia in warm water. Add your platinum jewelry and let it soak for a minute or two, or leave it for up to ten minutes for intricate or especially dirty pieces. Use the toothbrush to scrub your jewelry gently.
In general, we recommend Platinum over 18ct white gold to most clients as the better metal choice overall. Moreover, this choice avoids regular re-Rhodium plating when rings appear tarnished. Also, the metal alloy for Platinum provides a 95% purity making this the best choice for anyone with allergies.