That’s right, I said it, and I’ll say it again - white gold is stupid. People get sold on white gold as a less expensive alternative to platinum, but if you want a white metal you can have palladium or even silver. Don’t like the tarnish on silver? Don’t worry because there are now different silver alloys that resist tarnish such as Argentium Silver. Not to say silver is the best white metal, that accolade is reserved for Platinum.
The problem with white gold is that the alloy to make it white doesn’t quite get there - and that is why more often than not your white gold will be plated with white rhodium (which is in the Platinum Family), If you’re going to wear electroplated jewelry, you might as well have rhodium plated brass. Also, depending on what metals are used to create the white gold alloy, white gold can often be brittle, and over time you run the risk of prongs snapping. This isn’t the case with Platinum, that bends like butter, but stays in place without the springiness associated with white gold. If you’re investing in a gemstone or diamond, you should choose the best metal to hold that investment in place.
I’ve heard of jewelers that convinced their clients that white gold is better than platinum - these people are being lied to. The fact is that platinum is rough on a jeweler’s tools, especially our files, and this leads to jewelers having two sets of tools, one for platinum and one for everything else. The jeweler who says he doesn’t work with platinum because of this lie or that lie, is really saying while you may be able to afford his work, he can’t afford new files.
Now, while I am a devout fan of yellow gold, as far as white metals go there is nothing more fine for both the jeweler & the client than Platinum. Palladium has risen in value, though it has a duller shade of white that can appear almost grey. On a budget, Silver - the most reflective of metals - is an exceptionally beautiful option.
As an independent Jewelry Artist, I refuse to use white gold. Your options are Platinum or Silver.