Metals Comparison

At ZS diamonds we offer only precious metals which we have been hallmarked by either Scotland or Birmingham assay offices.

Metals used are Platinum, 18ct White Gold, 18ct Yellow Gold and Palladium.

We currently offer only some diamond eternity rings in Palladium through this website, for palladium wedding rings please email or call to discuss prices and to place an order.

Choosing a metal for your ring

When comparing metals there is no better metal, only different purities of metal. For Platinum and Palladium we use 950 which refers to 95% pure. These are the purest precious metals we use, many people assume that because platinum is a purer metal, then it must be the best. This is not entirely true.

For White and Yellow Gold we use only 18ct, this means that 75% of the metal is pure gold.

Platinum or White Gold?

The most common question is which metal is better Platinum 950 or 18ct White Gold?

Neither can be classed as better, they are different and they wear differently. Both metals when new and polished are indistinguishable. The main give away is the metals weight, Platinum is approximately 33% denser. Another way to tell the difference between the metal is the hallmark.

So when new the only difference between the tow is weight. When worn over time Platinum goes dull and a greyish colour. White Gold when worn stays quite bright but goes very slightly off colour to a slight tint of yellow.

Platinum 950 is actually softer than 18ct white gold.

White Gold

Most people assume white Gold is a lesser metal because certain types of white gold when worn turned quite yellowish. This is not the case, the metal colour differences of white gold have nothing to do with its quality.

There are two reasons for the differences in the base colour of white gold.

The main reason being it's cost. As 75% of the gold is pure, the other 25% of the metal can be used to alter the colour so that its whiter. The alloys that make white gold appear whiter than it actually is are expensive, this additional alloy is Palladium.

Using a whiter mix of white gold with palladium can make the cost per gram up to 25% more expensive. White gold jewellery manufactured in Asia usually has a yellowish base colour. This is due to Palladium not being used to enhance the white hue of the metal.

The trend in some countries such as Italy and Spain who manufacture white gold jewellery is to maintain the base colour of white gold rather than enhance the 'whiteness' of the metal by adding Palladium to the mix.

For this reason Platinum is not as popular in these places compared with the United Kingdom.