Platinum VS Titanium – 4 Key Differences & How To Choose

Platinum and titanium are two metals that you find in jewelry stores, with titanium being the less known one. But if you’re looking for a particularly lightweight and durable metal, you may be leaning towards titanium. And then you may be more attracted towards the prestige that comes with platinum.

So, which do you end up choosing ? Both platinum and titanium have their respective uses, perks and drawbacks. Perhaps looking at a thorough comparison between them will help you out.

 

Platinum vs titanium

The main difference between platinum and titanium is the price, with titanium being much, much cheaper than platinum. Platinum has a brighter, whiter shine to it while platinum has a noticeably grey cast. Both are very durable metals but titanium is simply longer lasting.

If you’re someone who prefers the feel of heavy jewelry, you may like platinum better because it’s a much denser metal than titanium.

You can find jewelry stores that have both titanium and platinum in their stock and may be able to provide you with the right piece of jewelry for you.

First, we’ll take a look at what each of these metals is, and then compare them.

What is platinum ?

Platinum is a precious, noble metal with a very rare occurrence in the Earth’s crust. Because of this it’s considered more expensive than gold, usually double the price.

In terms of color platinum has a bright white look to it, and it’s a very dense metal. This means you will need more platinum to finish a piece of jewelry than other metals. The result is a heavier piece than if you were to make it out of a different metal.

Platinum is non-reactive, hypoallergenic, and does not tarnish.

Read also: Silver VS Platinum – 4 Differences & How To Choose

What is titanium ?

Titanium is a metal naturally found in the Earth’s crust, and actually a fairly common one at that. The trouble is extracting it out of rock sediments, since that process was only invented in the early 1900s.

In terms of appearance titanium has a silvery-grey cast to it, and does not shine as brightly as platinum, even when polished. However this is a very durable yet lightweight metal, so any piece of jewelry will not be too heavy.

Due to how widely available this metal is, it’s fairly cheap, often cheaper than silver. The main uses for titanium are industrial, and NASA actually has a titanium outer coating on their spaceships.

If you, or whomever you’re buying jewelry for, are into science, space, and high-tech then titanium may just sound like the coolest thing ever.

Titanium is more affordable than platinum

Because titanium is lightweight and very easy to find around the world, you won’t get a high quote for a piece of jewelry made from titanium. It won’t end up too heavy and it will definitely last.

But it’s precisely because of this, titanium does not have much resale value. Unless your jewelry has something else of value – gemstones, or another metal – a jeweler won’t offer much for it.

Platinum is much more expensive, but it’s easier to sell it back if the need ever arises. But this also means you will hit the upper limit for your budget pretty quickly.

Platinum has a brighter, white shine to it

If color is important, you should know that titanium and platinum do not offer the same finish or hue.

Platinum shines a bright white that seems to radiate from inside. When you put it next to silver, you notice a grey cast in the silver and the platinum remains completely white.

Titanium has a duller, dark grey color and it, too, can shine brightly if polished. But even then, it will look darker than a piece of silver. This may be a good or a bad thing, depending on your personal preferences.

If going for a more modern look with your jewelry, then the darker titanium color may suit your fancy. If you’re into unconventional colors for your jewelry then titanium is definitely the one for you, since it’s easy to find it inlaid with different stones that seem otherworldly.

Titanium is more durable than platinum

Titanium is used for spaceships and in industrial settings for a reason. It’s very durable, heat-resistant, scratch-resistant, lightweight and generally an incredibly sturdy material.

Platinum is durable and sturdy as well, but it’s a bit softer compared to titanium. Both will wear very, very well down the line though.

Platinum has a more elegant finish, titanium is more rugged

Because titanium comes with this space and deep science influence, most of the jewelry pieces you’ll see are fairly rugged, but that’s not the only reason.

Titanium is not easy to manipulate into intricate, delicate designs. So most jewelers just go with what the metal tells them, and that is a more rugged look, with strong edges, a buffed or sanded finish. This can be a really great thing if you’re buying jewelry for a very masculine person.

While titanium can certainly be manipulated into thin, simple rings, you’re likely going to find chunkier ones. There’s an entire space-and-meteorite-and-science aesthetic going on, with titanium rings right at the center of everything.

Read also: Ruby Engagement Ring Meaning 

Platinum pieces have that classic, elegant jewelry look that is likely to please most people. For jewelry that would need to holt a lot of gems in different positions, you need an intricate design but an durable metal, so platinum will work better.

You can get gemstones in titanium as well. But the designs won’t be as delicate, rather they will be very modern and minimalist, because titanium won’t allow a lot of bending and shaping.

Take the time to consider who will be wearing that piece of jewelry. Do they like things with an edge ? More masculine ? Do they like a classic or elegant look about their jewelry and clothes ?

All of these things matter, because jewelry is meant to complement the person wearing it, so i has to fir into their particular style.

Neither titanium nor platinum tarnish

If you’re worried about your jewelry tarnishing as it’s exposed to weather, sun, sweat, and water don’t be. Both titanium and platinum are very tarnish-resistant, so they will hold up beautifully in time.

All the maintenance they require is some hot, soapy water and a thorough rub with a soft, clean cloth.

Both titanium and platinum are highly durable

If you’re looking into wedding bands and you and your partner work with your hands a lot, know that both titanium and platinum will wear very well in time. They won’t scratch or get bent out of shape (barring severe accidents) and they will always look good.

Do titanium rings turn your finger green ?

No, titanium does not tarnish so it will not turn your finger green. The only metals that turn your finger green are the ones that oxidize when exposed to the oils and sweat on your skin. Those metals are nickel and copper.

Is titanium better than gold ?

Titanium is much more durable than gold, and it’s lighter in weight and on your pocket than gold. It does not offer the same color range as gold, and but it can be alloyed with another metal if you wish.

If your aim is a white color, you should go for 14k gold because that is the type of gold with a white finish (rhodium). 18k white gold will always have a yellow hue to it unless you plate it.

Is there a stronger metal than titanium ?

Yes, you can get a stronger metal than titanium and that is tungsten carbide. It’s generally used for ammunition, drill heads, or any sort of high-wear piercing or sanding uses.

Tungsten carbide is heavier than titanium, and more expensive, but not as expensive as gold. In terms of color it’s very similar to titanium, reaching a dark grey color with a high-shine finish. That being said, you can easily find tungsten rings in different colors, since this metal is commonly found in powdered form.