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Platinum is often considered the best there is, and with good cause. It
can make diamonds sparkle like no other metal can and is much harder
than white gold. But if you can't afford the platinum price tag, than
palladium is a good option to consider.
The main benefit of
palladium over platinum wedding rings is price. Platinum is a much more
dense metal than both gold and palladium, and thus weighs a lot more.
Usually, you are paying for weight with precious metals. They are most
often sold on commodity markets by the troy ounce. While the volume may
be the same for both a platinum, white gold, and palladium ring, the
weight and density of the platinum ring will be almost double, along
with the price tag.
Both palladium and platinum offer superb
stone security when setting diamonds, much better than that of white
gold. The prongs have very minimal spring back and both metals seem to
wear well for this application.
Wedding rings made of palladium
and platinum are also both very pure metals, usually 95% pure with the
remaining 5% being ruthenium or iridium. This is great for those who
need hypo-allergenic rings, as both metals will be far less likely to
cause allergic reaction than those of white gold. Palladium is usually
marked 950PD while platinum carries the mark PT950.
In our
experience, both metals wear well. Palladium is a naturally white
metal, just as platinum is, and will look shiny and new as long as you
clean and polish is regularly. Platinum also requires maintenance,
though not as often. However, the maintenance is more intensive and
takes longer when you get it done. Over many years the cost will be a
wash, but platinum will likely save you a few trips to the jewelery
store.
Chances are that if you're looking for a palladium or platinum wedding band
you don't want to consider white gold. However, there are some options
that have presented themselves with recent technology that give white
gold the same advantages as palladium and platinum with a similar price
tag. These new white golds stay white and don't need rhodium plating.
They are often referred to as precise white
gold rings. Our favorite is the new X1 white gold from Stuller. This is
available by request in most our gold bands at Wedding Rings Forever.
This metal ranks just below platinum on the "whiteness" scale and just
above palladium.
For now it still seems that platinum is a
superior choice for luster and wear. It is also a completely inert
metal that will not react, meaning no oxidation or tarnish. However,
the new X1 white gold and 950PD palladium will certainly be competitors
coming into the future.
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