When it comes to engagement ring shopping, two essential things to consider are the colour and type of metal you prefer. While yellow gold has been the classic choice for many pieces of fine custom jewellery, there is an increasing interest in white metals. The two primary choices are white gold and platinum, both of which look beautiful. However, sometimes, we are asked about silver—a metal we do not work with due to its lower value and the fact that it tends to tarnish and wear down over time. In today’s article, we would like to address some of the critical differences between platinum and silver that you should be aware of so that you can make the proper decision when it comes to choosing any piece of jewellery you plan to wear for many years.
Key Differences
While platinum and silver have both been used in fine jewellery for quite some time, there are some important differences to keep in mind that impact not only the value but also the appearance of your jewellery:
Price
Platinum is considerably more valuable due to its rarity and use in a variety of fine jewellery, appliances, and instruments. Silver, on the other hand, is one of the most affordable metals used in jewellery, making it suitable for costume pieces that you may wear only a few times. For these reasons, platinum is an excellent choice for any jewellery you plan to wear for life, such as an engagement ring or wedding band.
Durability & Strength
Once again, there is no comparison in this category. Pure silver is too soft to use in jewellery, so it is mixed with alloys such as copper or zinc, creating sterling silver, which contains 92.5 % pure silver. Sterling silver is still quite soft and tends to wear down and tarnish quite quickly.
Platinum, however, is incredibly dense and everlasting. This means that platinum jewellery tends to hold up very well over time. For these reasons, we do not recommend silver as a metal of choice for engagement rings, wedding rings, or any sort of high-end custom jewellery.
Appearance Differences
On first impressions, platinum and silver can look quite similar since they are both white in colour. However, platinum is much brighter and has a greater shine, whereas silver tends to look duller and greyer, especially as it wears over time.
Silver also tarnishes and takes on an even duller and darkened brown or yellow appearance. Platinum does not tarnish, meaning it will continue to shine brightly even after a piece of jewellery is worn for many years.
It should be mentioned, however, that platinum can get small scratches over time, and this is a natural part of the wear that occurs with any piece of jewellery. For this reason, we always recommend that clients come in as often as they wish to have us polish their rings, making them look just like new.
Caring For Each Metal
Regular cleaning and care can help extend the life of any piece of fine jewellery. For this reason, we offer free lifetime cleaning, polishing, and inspection on all of our pieces, and we recommend clients come in at least once per year.
Due to its durability, platinum usually only needs a quick polishing and rarely needs more extensive repairs, like re-tipping of the claws.
Silver, however, is prone to tarnishing, and for that reason, it is advisable to purchase silver polishing liquid, which can brighten the metal.
All jewellery, however, can also benefit from DIY home cleanings. To do this, we recommend filling a soup bowl with hot tap water and a few drops of dish detergent and letting your piece of jewellery soak for 10 minutes. You can then use a light-bristled toothbrush to tap the piece to clear out any bits of grime that could be stuck to it.
Hypoallergenic Properties
Platinum is always the metal of choice for people who have various skin allergies. Whenever we are tasked with designing custom engagement rings, we always inquire about whether or not the wearer has any known allergies or has had reactions to wearing costume jewellery in the past. If so, we recommend platinum or special mixtures of gold that are hypoallergenic.
Silver, on the other hand, while not allergenic itself, tends to be mixed with other metals that can cause allergies. Nickel, for instance, is often used in both white gold and costume jewellery and tends to result in allergic reactions in those who are susceptible.
Conclusion
We hope you have found this guide comparing platinum vs. silver helpful. While these two metals may look similar at first glance, they are actually quite different. When it comes to fine jewellery, we highly recommend platinum or white gold—we do not work with silver. However, sterling silver can be perfect for various costume pieces purchased at arts and crafts shows, and these pieces can be no less meaningful.
If you are looking to create your own piece of fine custom jewellery, please check out our website’s portfolio of engagement rings in Winnipeg, and then get in touch through our contact forms.