Platinum

Platinum vs White Gold: How to Tell Them Apart (And Which Is Worth More)

Platinum and white gold look almost identical — but the difference in value is significant. NYC's Diamond District buyers explain how to tell them apart and what each is worth.

February 13, 2026 1 min read

It’s one of the most common questions we get at our 47th Street office: “I have this white ring — is it platinum or white gold?” The answer matters because there can be a significant difference in value between the two.

Why They Look the Same

White gold is actually yellow gold mixed with white metals like palladium, nickel, or silver to achieve a white appearance. It’s then typically plated with rhodium — a platinum-group metal — which gives it a bright, silvery-white finish identical to platinum. Platinum is naturally white and requires no plating. It’s about 30 times rarer than gold.

How to Tell Them Apart: Hallmarks

The most reliable method is checking the hallmark stamped on the piece:

Platinum hallmarks: PLAT, PT, PT950, PT900, PT850, 950, 900
White gold hallmarks: 14K, 18K, 585, 750, 417

If your ring says 14K or 18K, it’s white gold — even if it looks completely silver-white. If it says PLAT or PT950, it’s platinum.

Physical Differences

Weight: Platinum is significantly denser than gold — noticeably heavier than an identical white gold ring
Patina: Platinum develops a natural matte patina over time. White gold tends to look shinier or slightly yellow when the rhodium plating wears off
Scratches: Platinum displaces metal rather than losing it — a scratch creates a groove with raised edges

Which Is Worth More?

It depends on current spot prices and purity. Platinum jewelry is typically 85–95% pure, while white gold jewelry is 58–75% pure gold. Both have real value — the actual payout depends on weight, purity, and current metal prices. Don’t assume one is more valuable without getting a professional evaluation.

Bring your platinum or white gold to our NYC office at 30 W 47th St, Suite 906 and we’ll tell you exactly what you have and what it’s worth.

30 W 47th St, Suite 906

Ninth floor, between Fifth and Sixth Avenue, in the middle of the Diamond District block. Walk-ins welcome Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm.

Subway

B, D, F, M to 47–50 Sts–Rockefeller Center — exit at 47th Street and walk half a block east. Closest stop, under two minutes.
N, Q, R, W to 49 St, then two blocks south.
7 to Fifth Ave–Bryant Park, then five blocks north.
4, 5, 6 to 51 St, or to Grand Central–42 St and west on 47th.
1 to 50 St, then east toward Sixth Avenue.

Commuter rail

Metro-North into Grand Central Terminal — roughly a ten-minute walk west along 47th Street, no transfer needed.
LIRR, NJ Transit and Amtrak into Penn Station — take the B, D, F or M uptown one stop to Rockefeller Center, or walk about fifteen minutes.
PATH to 33rd Street, then the B, D, F or M uptown.

Bus

M1, M2, M3, M4 run along Fifth and Madison Avenues and stop within a block.
M5, M7 run on Sixth and Seventh Avenues.
M50 crosstown covers 49th and 50th Streets.

Driving & parking

There is effectively no street parking on this block. Several garages sit on 47th and 46th Street between Fifth and Sixth, and more along Sixth Avenue — booking ahead through a parking app is usually cheaper than the drive-up rate. From the FDR, exit at 49th Street and head west. From the West Side Highway, exit at 56th Street and head south and east.

Coming in with a large lot

If you're bringing a significant quantity, call before you come. We'll have the right person at the counter and can arrange for you to come up without waiting. For estates and bulk lots we can also discuss secure transport.