White Gold: A Durable Wedding Band Choice?

White gold is a popular choice for wedding bands, but there are pros and cons to choosing it over other metals. It is a gorgeous, timeless, and relatively inexpensive metal with thousands of styles to choose from. However, it is a soft metal that is less durable than platinum and will scratch easily. It will also need to be re-plated with rhodium periodically to maintain its colour and shine, which can be inconvenient and add up in cost over time.

White gold is less durable than platinum

White gold is a popular choice for wedding bands, offering a timeless look and a wide range of styles. However, it is important to consider its durability, especially when compared to platinum.

White gold is a softer metal than platinum, making it less durable. Over time, scratches on white gold wedding bands will become more visible as small slivers of gold are lost with each scratch. This can be avoided with platinum, which is a harder metal that develops a patina finish over time, making it more durable and ensuring that it holds precious stones securely. Platinum is also denser and heavier than white gold, giving it a more durable feel.

The durability of white gold is further impacted by its tendency to turn yellow. This is because white gold is not naturally white; it is made by combining yellow gold with other white metals, such as palladium, nickel, or zinc, and then rhodium plating is applied to give it a whiter, shinier finish. This finish will need to be maintained and will need to be reapplied periodically, adding to the long-term cost of the ring. On the other hand, platinum is a naturally white metal that will not turn yellow and only requires polishing to restore its original condition.

While white gold is a popular and cost-effective choice for wedding bands, it is important to consider its durability. Platinum, being a harder and denser metal, offers a more durable option that will stand the test of time.

It will need rhodium plating periodically

White gold is a popular choice for wedding bands, but it does require some maintenance to keep its bright white colour. To keep your white gold wedding band looking its best, you will need to have it rhodium-plated periodically. This process helps to maintain the white colour and shine of the band.

Over time, white gold can start to turn yellow due to everyday wear. If you wear your ring all the time, you may notice this colour change as soon as 12 months after first putting it on. To prevent this, you can have your ring rhodium-plated as soon as it starts to fade. How often you will need to do this depends on your lifestyle and how often you wear the ring. For some people, this may be as frequently as once every six to twelve months, while for others it may be every five to ten years.

The cost of rhodium plating can add up over time, especially if you wear your ring every day. If you are looking for a more low-maintenance option, platinum may be a better choice. Platinum is naturally white and does not require rhodium plating to maintain its colour. It is also more durable than white gold and will not tarnish or fade over time.

However, if you prefer the look of white gold or are looking for a more affordable option, white gold may still be a good choice for you. Just be prepared for the additional cost and inconvenience of periodic rhodium plating.

It's not hypoallergenic

White gold is a popular choice for wedding bands, but it is not hypoallergenic. This is because it is made by combining pure yellow gold with other metals to give it its white colour. The metals used vary but can include zinc, silver, copper, nickel, or palladium.

Nickel is a common allergen, with approximately 5-10% of the population having a nickel allergy. Even if you don't have a nickel allergy initially, it is possible to develop one over time. As the ring wears, some of the properties begin to break down, which can result in an allergic reaction.

If you have sensitive skin or are concerned about the possibility of an allergic reaction, it is recommended to choose platinum over white gold. Platinum is a hypoallergenic metal that is also naturally white, so it doesn't require rhodium plating to maintain its colour.

While it is possible to find white gold rings made without nickel, it is always a good idea to check with the jeweller to find out if their white gold jewellery is nickel-free.

If you already have a white gold ring that is causing an allergic reaction, you don't need to get rid of it. You can take it to a jeweller and have it plated with rhodium or platinum, both of which are hypoallergenic.

It's a softer metal

Pure gold is naturally soft and malleable. It can easily bend out of shape, which is not ideal for jewellery that is worn every day, like wedding bands. To make gold more durable, it is mixed with other metals to form an alloy.

White gold is an alloy made from a blend of pure yellow gold and other metals such as palladium, platinum, silver, copper, or zinc. The addition of these other metals changes the colour of the gold. For example, a higher amount of copper will turn the gold to rose gold, while mixing it with silver, nickel, or palladium will turn it to pale gold, or white gold.

The softness of white gold means that it is less durable than other metals used for wedding bands, such as platinum. Every time white gold is scratched, a small sliver of the gold falls off and is lost, causing visible scratches on the band. This can be avoided by choosing a wedding band made from platinum, which is harder and creates a more durable patina finish over time.

While white gold is a softer metal, it is still durable enough for everyday wear. It also has a higher level of scratch resistance than yellow gold due to the increased amount of zinc in the alloys, and the rhodium plate that is often applied to white gold for colour also increases its scratch resistance.

The softness of white gold means that it is also easier to resize than rings made from harder metals like tungsten, titanium, palladium, or platinum. Repairs for scratches and dings are also possible and are generally priced lower than repairs for rings made from other metals.

It's less expensive than platinum

When it comes to wedding bands, white gold is a popular choice due to its gorgeous looks and timeless style. It is also a more affordable option compared to platinum, which is considered a premium metal for jewellery.

Platinum is a rare metal predominantly mined in South Africa, with only a few hundred tonnes mined annually. It has multiple uses in the automobile, chemical and electronic industries, and is also a popular investment choice. Platinum is highly valuable due to its unique physical properties, including its low reactivity, high resistance to corrosion, and ductility.

In contrast, gold is more readily available, with around 2,700 tons mined per year, compared to 80 tons of platinum. This makes platinum 30% rarer than gold and contributes to its higher price tag.

The density of platinum also makes it more expensive. It is almost 20% denser than 18-carat white gold, making it a sturdy choice for an engagement ring, especially for those with an active lifestyle or manual job. However, this density also makes platinum rings heavier, which may be a consideration for those who prefer a lighter ring.

While white gold may be initially cheaper, it requires more maintenance over time. It is plated with rhodium to maintain its silver finish, and this plating needs to be reapplied every 2 to 3 years, at a cost of around £50-£100. Over time, the cost of maintaining a white gold ring can exceed the savings made by choosing it over platinum.

Platinum, on the other hand, does not require plating and will not tarnish, only needing an occasional polish to maintain its shine. Its purity also makes it the most hypoallergenic of all metals used in jewellery, making it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.

In summary, while white gold is initially less expensive than platinum, the ongoing maintenance costs of white gold can make it a more costly choice in the long run. Platinum's rarity, durability, and hypoallergenic properties make it a premium choice for wedding bands, albeit with a higher upfront cost.

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