What is the Difference Between Silver, White Gold, & Platinum

Just like your love language, precious metals each have their own, unique way of expressing different qualities and feelings. Color, durability, and rarity are all different qualities that your metal choice can represent.  

Silver and platinum have more grey undertones, while white gold has a shining white and sometimes more yellow hue. Platinum is more rare, and therefore more valuable, gold is second most valuable, and silver is the most affordable option. 

Color

If you’ve narrowed it down between silver hues and gold hues, then the precious metals you will most likely be looking at are silver, white gold, and platinum. Silver and platinum are naturally a silver hue with grayish undertones, whereas white gold is known for its prominent shining white, and because it’s gold it has more yellowish undertones. This shining white hue comes from the rhodium plating that coats the white gold alloy beneath.

Durability

In terms of durability, Platinum is definitely the strongest. Silver and white gold in their purest form are very soft metals, easily scratched and bent, which is why white gold is most often mixed with other metals - nickel, platinum, copper, or zinc - to strengthen them. These metals add a lot of durability to silver and white gold but are still softer than platinum. With that in mind, because silver and white gold are alloys, some blends can cause skin reactions in those who are sensitive. Platinum is the only one out of these three that is truly hypoallergenic. 

Rarity (and Price)

You should consider the rarity and price. Everyone has a budget, and all of these metals make excellent choices for your jewelry. Silver is the least expensive upfront, though as mentioned earlier it requires more maintenance. White gold is the second most expensive, followed by platinum. Platinum is the densest out of the three, so even though its price per ounce isn’t that far off from white gold; platinum requires what seems like more only because it “weighs” more.

Care

The level of care required for each metal is also important. If the piece is one you wear daily, such as an engagement or wedding ring, a more durable metal is desirable. 

Though all of your jewelry should be professionally cleaned a few times a year, silver is the most precarious. Silver easily tarnishes and should be cleaned and polished regularly to keep its shine. 

White gold is similar to silver in that it needs more care than platinum, regular polishing will be needed though less than silver, then there is the rhodium plating. It will eventually wear off. This plating can be replaced and should be annually to keep that shining white hue.

Platinum is the strongest out of these three metals and requires little care. It still helps to do regular polishing though. All three of these metals over time will end up with scratches and blemishes, so we recommend an annual refinish to keep your jewelry shining.