Quick Answer
What is the difference between PT950 platinum and 18K white gold?
PT950 platinum is 95% pure platinum — dense, hard-wearing and naturally white with no plating needed. 18K white gold is 75% gold alloyed with white metals and rhodium-plated to look white, needing re-plating every year or two, and typically costs 30-40% less than platinum. AU750 is another name for 18K gold (75% pure), commonly used for yellow or rose gold rings. The right choice mostly comes down to budget and how much upkeep you want.
Choosing an engagement or wedding ring is not only about the diamond — the setting metal shapes how the ring wears and ages over the years. AU750, PT950 and 18K white gold are the markings you will see most often, and they describe metal purity, which in turn drives price, durability and skin-sensitivity. This guide breaks down the three so you can pick the right one.
What do ring metal markings mean?
Look inside the band and you will usually find a purity stamp. AU750 means 75% pure gold (the rest is alloy) and is common on 18K yellow or rose gold rings. PT950 means 95% pure platinum, the standard purity for platinum jewellery. 18K white gold is also 75% gold, alloyed to a pale colour and then rhodium-plated — it looks similar to platinum but is a different metal entirely.
AU750 (18K Gold)
AU750 is another way of labelling 18K gold — 75% pure gold, with the remaining 25% made up of silver, copper or other alloys for added hardness. A higher gold content gives a warmer, more yellow tone but a softer metal; different alloy mixes produce yellow gold, rose gold or white gold variants. AU750 balances durability and value, making it one of the most common metals for wedding bands and everyday jewellery.
PT950 Platinum
PT950 is 95% pure platinum — a far higher purity than 18K gold — and noticeably denser, giving the ring a heavier, more substantial feel. Platinum is naturally white and never needs plating or fades over time; it also resists wear and skin reactions better, making it well suited to a ring worn every day. The trade-off is price, typically 30-40% more than 18K white gold, and the metal is softer, so prong wear is worth checking periodically.
18K White Gold
18K white gold shares the same 75% gold content as AU750, but the alloy mix is adjusted to a pale colour and finished with a rhodium plating for shine and hardness. That rhodium layer wears with use, so re-plating every one to two years keeps the ring looking bright and white. 18K white gold is typically more affordable than PT950 platinum, making it a common entry point for engagement rings.
The three metals at a glance
- PT950 platinum: 95% pure, naturally white with no plating needed, dense and hypoallergenic, the highest price of the three.
- 18K white gold: 75% pure, rhodium-plated for its white finish, needs periodic re-plating, typically 30-40% less than platinum.
- AU750 (18K gold): 75% pure, can be alloyed into yellow or rose gold, softer and warmer in tone, strong value for money.
Everyday care tips
- Re-plate an 18K white gold ring roughly every one to two years to restore its bright white finish.
- PT950 platinum needs no plating, but is softer than white gold — avoid knocking it against hard surfaces.
- Remove the ring before showering, swimming or housework to limit exposure to chemicals and abrasion.
- Wipe the ring with a soft cloth regularly, and have prongs professionally checked and cleaned every six months.
Frequently asked questions
Is PT950 platinum worth the extra cost over 18K white gold?
Platinum offers a naturally white, hard-wearing, hypoallergenic metal with lower long-term upkeep, which suits a ring meant to be worn daily for decades. 18K white gold costs less upfront but needs periodic rhodium re-plating to stay white. Diamond styles and settings are equally available on both — the choice mostly comes down to budget and how much maintenance you want.
Is AU750 the same as 18K gold?
Yes. AU750 is simply another way of stating 18K gold — both describe 75% gold purity — and the terms are used interchangeably, most often on yellow or rose gold rings.
How often does an 18K white gold ring need re-plating?
Roughly every one to two years, though the exact interval depends on how often the ring is worn and what it is exposed to. Daily wear or frequent contact with chemicals wears the rhodium layer faster — watch for the ring losing its bright white shine as the cue to re-plate.
Should an engagement ring be platinum or white gold?
If budget allows and you want the lowest-maintenance, naturally white option, platinum is the more durable long-term choice. If budget is tighter but you still want a white setting, 18K white gold with periodic re-plating holds up well. Both pair equally well with a natural or lab-grown centre diamond.
Is there less design choice in platinum rings?
No — platinum settings come in the same range of solitaire, halo and side-stone styles as 18K gold. The difference is in the metal's properties, not in design options.
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