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What's the Difference Between Gold and Platinum |
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Both are considered to be noble metals. (Noble metals are platinum, gold and silver. They got their name from ancient days when only nobles could afford fine jewelry) White gold and platinum are very similar in appearance and both are highly desirable. The platinum we use at Marlen Jewelers is 95% pure. Because of its density, platinum weighs one and half times as much as 18 karat gold. While platinum is basically a soft metal, it is very resistant to wear. For that reason it is prized for making jewelry. Platinum has a slight gray tint. To give it the desired silver color a thin layer of rhodium is applied to the metal. Rhodium is a highly refined platinum derivative. Over time it is necessary to reapply the rhodium. When gold comes out of the ground it is always yellow in color. White gold is created by adding alloys, usually nickel. In addition to making the gold white in color, it also makes the gold hard and rigid. For this reason, white gold holds its shape and finish better than platinum. However, white gold does not wear as well as platinum. Since white gold is predominately yellow gold, it is not unusual to detect a slight yellow tint at times. For this reason, a thin layer of rhodium is often electronically added as a finish. Rhodium is a highly refined platinum derivative. Over time it is necessary to reapply the rhodium.
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