18ct gold or Platinum 950?

Which is heavier, 18ct gold or platinum 950?

Platinum 950 is heavier, about 1.3 times the weight of 18ct gold for the same ring. A 6mm band in size N comes to about 7.6g in 18ct gold and 9.8g in platinum 950.

Worked out from the reference densities (15.7 and 20.1 g/cm³) with the same model as our ring weight calculator, where you can set your own size, width and thickness. A bigger size adds a little more metal: the size N page and the other size pages give the weights at each size.

Is 18ct gold more expensive than platinum 950?

18ct gold rings start at £689 in our range. Plain platinum 950 bands are not in the range at the moment, and the platinum 950 material page shows what is. Both are precious metals, so the difference is mostly how much gold or platinum is in the ring.

Every ring is made to order in your size, and engraving is free on every ring whose page offers it.

Which is harder wearing?

Platinum 950 has the harder surface: Mohs 4.5 against 3 for 18ct gold, so it picks up fewer everyday marks. 18ct gold marks sooner, and any jeweller can polish it back.

18ct gold. 18ct is 75% gold, which gives it the deepest colour and real weight on the finger. It is a little softer than 9ct, so it shows marks a little sooner, and they polish out at any jeweller. Yellow and rose gold need nothing more; white gold is often rhodium plated, and replating brings back its bright white whenever you want it.

Platinum 950. Platinum is naturally white, so there is no plating to renew. It does scratch, but a scratch moves the metal rather than removing it, so over time the surface settles into a soft patina instead of wearing thin. A jeweller can burnish it back to a bright shine, which GIA describes as the gentle way to restore worn platinum.

Want gold that wears harder? 9ct gold is the harder alloy and costs less than 18ct. Compare 9ct gold and platinum 950

Platinum and patina. A platinum ring dulls to a soft satin over the years rather than wearing thin. Some people love that look; a jeweller burnishes it back to a mirror shine for anyone who does not.

Can 18ct gold and platinum 950 rings be resized?

18ct gold: Yes. A plain 18ct gold band can be made larger or smaller by a jeweller, the way wedding rings have always been resized. The exception is a band set with stones all the way round, where there is nowhere to cut without disturbing a stone, so on those the size is settled when you order.

Platinum 950: Yes. A plain platinum 950 band can be made larger or smaller by a jeweller, the way wedding rings have always been resized. The exception is a band set with stones all the way round, where there is nowhere to cut without disturbing a stone, so on those the size is settled when you order.

Either way, getting the size right first is the easy part: the free ring size finder measures it at home in a couple of minutes, and the resizing guide explains the differences between metals.

Sensitive skin and hallmarks

18ct gold is a gold alloy, and white gold can be alloyed with nickel, so if you know you react to nickel, a hypoallergenic metal such as platinum, titanium or zirconium is the easy choice. Platinum 950 is hypoallergenic and a common choice for sensitive skin. The metal allergy guide explains what causes a rash under a ring.

Gold, silver, platinum and palladium are hallmarked by law above the exemption weights. The marks go inside the band, where you can read the fineness for yourself. The UK hallmarking guide explains each mark.