Luna Pearl Chain Necklace
£223.66
Pearl Teardrop Earrings
£36.65
Pearl Halo Necklace
£92.76
Larimar Dreams Studs
£65.08
White-metal pieces from our collection
In a product photo, platinum, white gold and well-finished sterling silver can be nearly indistinguishable. On your hand — and on your bank statement — they behave very differently. Here's what each white metal actually is.
Platinum
The heavyweight, literally. Platinum jewellery is typically 95% pure (stamped 950), naturally white all the way through, extremely dense and naturally hypoallergenic. It doesn't tarnish and never needs re-plating; over years it develops a soft satin "patina" that many owners love (and a jeweller can re-polish in minutes). The trade-offs: it's the most expensive white metal, and its weight isn't for everyone. Platinum is the traditional choice for engagement and wedding rings meant to last generations.
White gold
There's no such thing as naturally white gold — it's yellow gold alloyed with white metals like palladium or silver, and almost always finished with rhodium plating for that bright mirror-white look. The honest catch that surprises many buyers: the rhodium layer wears over time, letting a faint warm tint show through, so white gold rings typically need re-plating every one to three years (a routine, inexpensive service). Strong, classic, and lighter on the budget than platinum.
Sterling silver
The accessible precious metal: 92.5% pure silver, bright white with a hint of warmth, and by far the most affordable of the three. It's softer than gold or platinum and tarnishes over time — unless rhodium-plated, which modern silver jewellery (including many of our pieces) often is, giving it white-gold looks and tarnish resistance at silver prices. For necklaces, earrings and pieces that aren't ground against daily like a ring, silver is a superb value choice.
Palladium: the quiet fourth option
Platinum's lighter sibling from the same metal family — naturally white, hypoallergenic, no re-plating needed. It had a moment as a cheaper platinum alternative, though its market price now fluctuates; worth knowing when comparing wedding bands.
Side by side
| Platinum | White gold | Sterling silver | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colour source | Naturally white | Alloy + rhodium plating | Naturally white (often rhodium-plated) |
| Maintenance | Occasional polish | Re-plate every 1–3 years | Anti-tarnish care (unless plated) |
| Sensitive skin | Excellent | Good (nickel-free alloys) | Very good |
| Price | ££££ | £££ | £ |
The practical rule: for a once-in-a-lifetime ring worn daily for decades, platinum or white gold earn their price. For everything else — earrings, pendants, bracelets, and beautiful pieces you rotate — rhodium-plated sterling silver gives you the same look for a fraction of the cost, which is exactly why we build much of our collection on it.