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A lot of people are unsure about the differences between platinum and white gold. They look pretty similar, but one has a much higher price than the other! More expensive doesn't necessarily always mean better, however. Whether platinum or white gold is better depends on a lot of factors, most of which depend on your personal preferences (and budget). Platinum is a pure chemical element, like gold or silver. Also like silver, platinum will almost always be marked with its purity in hundredths. "Platinum" jewelry is usually 95 to 100 percent platinum by weight, but the purity may vary. "PT 900" means that the metal contains 90 percent platinum. Gold, by contrast, is measured in karats. 24 karats indicates that a piece is made out of virtually 100 percent gold. Most high quality gold jewelry consists of 40 to 75 percent gold, or 10 to 18 karats. In order to create white gold, jewelers must mix pure gold with some amount of another metal that gives it a white hue. White gold also frequently receives a rhodium plating to keep it shiny and bright white. Since rhodium is chemically related to platinum, it's no wonder platinum and white gold look so similar. Platinum is almost never coated with anything.   Platinum is a lot harder than white gold, but this is not always necessarily better.  White gold is less expensive, in part, because it is so much easier to work with.... read more.