F.A.Q

There are many potential questions that our clients ask us when considering their jewellery purchases, so over the coming weeks we will be providing you with some background information in order to help in making that decision just that little bit more easy for you.

Probably the most frequently asked question we get is regarding White Gold and Platinum especially in relation to wedding jewellery…

Q: What is the difference between white gold and platinum?

 A: Platinum and white gold are two different metals found in nature. Platinum is a naturally occurring white metal, and when used in manufacturing jewellery is between 90% and 95% pure platinum. Gold is naturally occurring yellow metal which when used for jewellery is alloyed (mixed) with other metals to create different carats (percentages) of gold as well as different colours i.e.: white gold. Changing the colour of yellow gold does not change the percentage of actual gold used in the alloy. Here in Australia the most common carats of gold used are 9ct (37.5% gold content) and 18ct (75.0% gold content).

Patinum in It’s natural form

Q: So white gold or platinum??

White gold and platinum each have their own properties which make them unique.

 Platinum is a purer metal, being as previously mentioned 90% -95% pure platinum (and here at Percy Marks we only use 95% pure platinum – all of our jewellery being stamped with one of the following 950/PT/Plat). Platinum is a heavier metal weighing approximately 40% more than 18ct gold.

 All precious metals can scratch and platinum is no exception. However, the scratch on platinum is merely a displacement of the metal and little of it’s volume is lost. Think of platinum like a piece of clay. If you run your finger across a wedge of clay, it merely moves the clay to the side.

 All platinum develops a patina over time, which is the matte finish that is unique to platinum. However, at any time you wish we would be happy to repolish your piece for you in our own workshop for a nominal fee.

 Because gold’s natural colour is yellow, the colour of white gold, as previously mentioned, is actually due to being alloyed and plated. Unlike yellow gold, which is alloyed with copper, silver zinc, white gold is alloyed with a variety of other metal to make it white.

 At Percy Marks our white gold alloy is the highest quality on the market; a combination of gold with silver, platinum and palladium, resulting in a gold that is the whitest possible, although it is still a light grey in colour.

 It is then coated with a hard protective finish of rhodium (and virtually all white gold jewellery is rhodium plated), a silver-white metal to make the white gold bright. Although very white and very hard, it does wear away eventually, so must be replated periodically.

 In comparing platinum with gold it is necessary to mention that when scratched a miniscule amount of gold will be lost so that all forms of gold over a long period of time will wear down and abrade. The other main difference between the two metals is the cost. Traditionally platinum has been a much more expensive metal however with recent fluctuation in the commodities markets this gap has narrowed significantly and now platinum represents good value money.