Is Platinum White Gold? Is White Gold Silver? Let’s Clear This Up
It all begins with an idea.
Every now and then, I get questions from clients about platinum, white gold, and silver — and I completely understand the confusion. After all, if gold is supposed to be yellow, how can it be “white”? And does that mean platinum and white gold are the same thing? Or that white gold is just silver with a different name? Let me break it down for you.
Platinum vs. White Gold
Platinum is not white gold. Platinum is a naturally white, dense, and heavy metal that comes out of the ground that way. It’s rarer than gold, harder to work with, and generally more expensive. White gold, on the other hand, starts as yellow gold and is alloyed with other metals like nickel, palladium, or silver to make it lighter in color. So while both look similar at first glance, they are very different metals.
White Gold vs. Sterling Silver
White gold is also not silver. Sterling silver is its own metal alloy (92.5% silver with 7.5% copper, usually). It’s softer than white gold and has a tendency to tarnish over time. White gold doesn’t tarnish, but it does usually get plated with rhodium to give it a bright, reflective finish. That plating can wear off over time and may need re-plating to keep the bright white shine.
Why is White Gold White if Gold is Yellow?
This is the part that makes people stop and think. Pure gold is, of course, yellow. But when we say “10k,” “14k,” or “18k” gold, we’re really talking about an alloy — gold mixed with other metals. The higher the karat, the more gold content, and therefore, the warmer and more yellow the metal tends to look. When jewelers add certain white metals into the mix, the natural yellow is toned down into a pale or grayish hue, which is then enhanced with rhodium plating. That’s how we get “white gold.”
So to summarize:
Platinum is not white gold.
White gold is not silver.
And yes — gold is naturally yellow, but with alloying and plating, it can appear white.
I love these questions because they give me the chance to explain how fascinating jewelry metals really are. When you know the differences, you can choose the right piece not just by look, but also by how it wears over time and fits your lifestyle.