Choosing Between Two Precious Metals with Meaning
Gold and platinum have long been the languages of love, two metals that have held meaning for centuries, marking milestones, vows, and private moments of significance. They are both precious, both enduring, both beautiful, but they behave differently.
Choosing between them isn’t about which is better. It’s about which one feels most like you.
What Is the Difference Between Platinum and Gold?
Though they may look similar at first glance, gold and platinum are very different metals.
| Feature | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | 9ct = 37.5% pure gold; 18ct = 75%. The remaining metal is a blend of alloys (usually silver, copper, and zinc) for tone and strength. | Around 95% pure platinum — dense, naturally white, and hypoallergenic. |
| Colour | Warm and luminous. Available as yellow, rose, or white (white gold is plated with rhodium for brightness). | Naturally silvery-white. No plating needed — the colour you see is the metal itself. |
| Weight & Feel | Lighter, slightly softer, develops a subtle patina with wear. | Heavier, cooler to the touch, with a quiet sense of permanence. |
| Durability | Strong and resilient; scratches remove tiny amounts of metal. | Extremely durable; marks only move the metal, creating a soft matte finish over time. |
| Current Value | Gold now trades higher per gram than platinum, though platinum can cost more in finished pieces due to its density and the difficulty of crafting it. |
The Emotional Difference
Gold is sunlight. Platinum is still water.
Gold feels warm, radiant, nostalgic, timeless. It carries the soft glow of history and tradition, the familiar warmth of something that has lived many lives before you. It’s expressive, tactile, and alive — a metal that shifts gently with time, recording the touch of every day.
Platinum feels cool, grounded, calm, and quietly steadfast. It has a reassuring weight, a sense of calm that doesn’t waver. Where gold glows with personality, platinum radiates composure.
Choosing one is a question of temperament: Do you love warmth and softness, or quiet strength and stillness?
Which Is Better for Engagement Rings?
There’s no single answer — it depends on what you want your ring to represent.
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Gold suits those who love tradition and character. Its warmth flatters every skin tone, and its softness allows jewellers to craft intricate details. Over time, it develops a patina that feels deeply personal — the trace of a life well worn.
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Platinum is ideal for those who value durability and understated elegance. Its density gives it strength, making it a natural choice for people with active hands or those who prefer a low-maintenance metal that retains its silvery tone forever.
Both metals are strong enough for a lifetime of wear — and both grow more beautiful with age.
Explore our Modern Alternative Engagement Rings crafted in solid gold and platinum.
Is Platinum More Expensive Than Gold?
Not anymore. For many years, platinum was considered the most valuable metal, but the markets have shifted. Gold’s price has risen sharply, while platinum has remained relatively steady.
Today, gold typically trades higher per gram than platinum. However, platinum jewellery can still cost more due to the metal’s density — it’s heavier, so more metal is required to make the same ring, and it takes longer to polish and finish by hand.
In short: gold is currently more expensive as a material, platinum is more labour-intensive to work with.
Learn more about metals in Materials & Gold Trust
How Do Gold and Platinum Age Over Time?
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Gold develops a soft, satin-like patina with wear — a surface glow that reflects your life. It can always be re-polished, but many people choose to leave that subtle history visible.
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Platinum also forms a patina, but it’s different — a gentle matte finish that collectors cherish for its calm depth. It’s a surface story of endurance, not imperfection.
Both can be restored to a mirror shine whenever you wish, but there’s a quiet beauty in letting them evolve.
How to Care for Gold and Platinum Jewellery
Both metals love gentle care and occasional attention.
To clean:
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Fill a bowl with warm water and a drop of mild soap.
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Soak your piece for 5–10 minutes.
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Brush softly with a soft toothbrush.
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Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
Avoid bleach, harsh detergents, or ultrasonic cleaners for gemstone pieces.
For all-metal rings, ultrasonic cleaning is safe — but a soft cloth often works just as well.
For gemstone-specific care, visit Caring for Gold and Gemstones.
Which Should You Choose — Platinum or Gold?
Both metals are timeless; both carry memory beautifully.
The choice comes down to feeling.
Choose gold if you want warmth — if you love the idea of something that glows, evolves, and tells its story through touch.
Choose platinum if you want calm — if you find beauty in strength, stillness, and quiet endurance.
Your ring should feel like home. Whether that home is golden light or silver calm is entirely up to you.
Explore the Icons Collection — meaningful rings for every chapter of becoming.
There’s a quiet alchemy in precious metals: gold and platinum both hold the memory of the hands that shaped them, and of the lives that will wear them next. The difference between them isn’t hierarchy — it’s harmony. Two ways of saying forever.
