Upgrading from 18ct White Gold to Platinum Jewellery (2024 update)

Upgrading from white gold to platinum

How can I upgrade from 18ct Gold to Platinum?

This is not something you should feel is necessary.

18ct Gold is a beautiful metal and remains very popular for engagement rings and wedding rings.

However, many consumers have decided to replace jewellery by redesigning items made in platinum.

What is the cost of changing a ring from 18ct Gold to Platinum?

Based on the price of both Platinum and 18ct Gold in 2024, we assessed the cost of changing a ring mount from Gold to Platinum. Although Platinum weighs just over a third heavier, the price per gram has fallen into 2024. For this reason, the cost works out less than Platinum at this time.

Based on Nov. 2024 prices for a single-stone (solitaire) ring mount and moving a diamond from one metal to the other metal.

Price for new £18ct Gold ring mount (3 grams x 18ct Gold price) = £750

Price for new Platinum ring mount (3 grams x 1.34 heavier weight = 4 grams x Platinum price)= £690

Scrap price for the unwanted 18ct gold ring = 3 grams x £35 per gram = £105

Price for new Platinum mount £690 less scrap £105 price = £585.00

The price will depend on the weight of the chosen design, but this calculation clearly indicates the price difference based on a 0.30-carat solitaire ring for changing the precious metal to Platinum. There would also be a small additional price (£25) to set the diamond into the new ring.

***Please remember that a bespoke ring design will cost 2 – 3 times this cost due to the CAD design work required and custom build for the ring.

Please contact us for a tailored quote based on your own set of circumstances and ring design.

Why upgrade 18ct White Gold Jewellery to Platinum?

Why, then, would someone want to upgrade from 18ct Gold to Platinum? 

Many consumers observe a gradual tarnish on their white gold jewellery over time. Besides scratches, white gold loses its Rhodium plating.

Furthermore, the inconsistent colour between the body of the metal and the Rhodium plating may become obvious to others.

As the Rhodium plating wears, the natural off-white colour of gold reveals itself. For this reason, some buyers feel disappointed in a change of appearance. However, this is completely normal for 18ct White Gold. In fact, all jewellers apply a Rhodium plating to white gold.

Upgrading an engagement ring owing to size issues

Some buyers upgrade from 18ct White Gold to Platinum due to size issues. If your ring cannot be resized, it might need to be remade. For this reason, some clients seize the opportunity to remake their ring in Platinum. 

The difficulty comes when additional wedding bands exist in the original metal. As a result, this can be more costly where more rings are involved. 

Our example below shows a Platinum half eternity ring upgraded from 18ct White Gold owing to size issues. 

After removing the diamonds, our video clip shows the old 18ct White Gold ring mount. The final ring shows the finished Platinum half-terternet ring.

Upgrading to Platinum owing to damage done to the original ring

Damaged beyond repair, some clients choose Platinum for a replacement engagement ring. This could be the perfect opportunity to upgrade from 18ct White Gold to Platinum. 

Upgrading a wedding ring to Platinum due to wear

Sometimes detail wears away over time. For example, hand engravings. Platinum offers a more durable surface for patterns and engravings. We upgrade wedding rings in Platinum with the same detail. For example, hand engravings. Our example below shows a wedding ring upgraded to a new Platinum replica of the ring.

Wedding ring upgraded from 18ct Gold to Platinum

Upgrading Yellow Gold to Platinum

Some mature clients decide to modernise their jewellery. The whiteness of Platinum gives a contemporary feel. For this reason, some couples upgrade from Yellow Gold to Platinum to add a more contemporary feel to their jewellery.

Upgrading an engagement ring setting to Platinum

A damaged setting might enable us to use your existing shank. To explain, sometimes we replace an 18ct White Gold setting with a Platinum setting. We mount this onto our client’s original band. 

Upgraded from 18ct White Gold to Platinum setting for an Emerald cut diamond eternity ring

Emerald cut half-eternity ring upgraded from 18ct White Gold to Platinum for the new ring (see video clip above). 

18ct White Gold and Rhodium Plating

Once polished, 18ct White Gold tends to appear naturally tinted or off-white because of the 75 per cent pure gold content. 18ct White Gold is mixed with other metals. 

Most people realise that pure Gold is Yellow Gold in colour. Alloyed with other precious metals, different alloy metals give it a paler colour. 

This can be said of both 9k, 14k and 18k Gold. In the UK we seldom work with 14k Gold. We create rings in 9k or 18k Gold instead. 

The final stage of finishing involves plating the item with Rhodium. Rhodium is a very hard, ultra-white metal, in the same family as the Platinum group. 

Jewellers apply Rhodium by plating once the ring has been polished. This gives the surface a regular white finish typical for 18ct White Gold.  

Many people incorrectly attribute the colour change to the actual metal tarnishing— a common misconception. 

The wear becomes evident where the ring comes into contact with everyday items over time.  

Owing to the natural white colour of Platinum, it makes the perfect choice for jewellery. 

Which is better – 18ct White Gold or Platinum?

For the answer to this question, we covered things in more detail in one of our alternative blog posts.

Benefits of a Platinum engagement ring

Positive characteristics of Platinum include natural whiteness (no Rhodium), and the ability to be refurbished. 

Re-polishing restores the mirror-like surface of the brand-new ring. Also, the intrinsic value, allergy-free properties, and rarity. A further attraction includes a luxurious feel from being a third heavier than 18ct Gold.

1 carat black diamond halo engagement ring

The Eleanor halo engagement ring shown here in Platinum with a Black 1 carat diamond.

Gold vs Platinum for ring settings?

Which is better for holding diamonds? A Gold setting or a Platinum setting?

Platinum is generally regarded as the best metal for ring settings. 

More rigid, Platinum gives holds diamonds with more strength. In addition, it requires no plating. Furthermore, Platinum is durable owing to increased density. 

A Platinum setting can be mounted onto a Rose Gold or Yellow Gold band. Or, many buyers order an engagement ring made entirely in Platinum. 

Santa Maria Aquamarine Oval in Platinum

Large Aquamarine set into a substantial Platinum setting

How to upgrade to Platinum

So, with this in mind, how do you go about upgrading the same ring from 18ct White Gold to Platinum?  

The first approach involves a remake of an existing ring design, basing it on the same style, in Platinum. 

We include the cost of the metal from the existing ring. As a result,  we reduce the cost of the new ring. 

First, we work out the gram weight of your current ring. Then, we calculate the scrap metal price. Finally, we remove this cost from the cost to upgrade your ring. 

Working with the original ring, we CAD design or hand-craft the new Platinum ring based on the exact same style. 

Or, some clients seize the opportunity to change their design altogether. Remember, you need to work around your existing diamonds. For this reason, choose a new design suitable for your existing gemstones. 

Beatrice crown styled engagement ring setting

Rose Gold and Yellow Gold shown with a Platinum setting (Beatrice engagement ring design

Increasing the size of your diamond in a new Platinum setting

Perhaps you want to keep to the same engagement ring design. But, maybe you would like a larger diamond. As part of our service, we often exchange items. 

By doing this, we re-purchase an existing diamond. Next, we quote to create the new Platinum ring with a bigger diamond. Contact us for help and a personal quote. 

Close up showing the 1 carat alongside the 1.20 carat diamond.

We include the option to increase the size of your diamond when a ring is upgraded to Platinum.

How to increase the number of diamonds in a new Platinum setting.

One of our recent clients used their gold solitaire ring to upgrade to a brand-new Platinum 2 stone ring.

We used her existing diamond to match a new stone for the ring in this instance.

Then, we matched diamonds by size, colour, clarity and cut. Similarly, we provide the same service if a client wants a new ring with diamond shoulders. 

Unique 3 stone diamond ring created by bespoke design

Two diamonds are matched to create a 3 stone ring design in Platinum with our client’s centre diamond.

Refurbishment costs for 18ct White Gold and Platinum Jewellery

The cost to refinish 18ct Gold and Platinum is very similar. Despite its hardness, Platinum scratches. Some clients send in their Platinum rings for repolishing from time to time. 

For this reason, decide how important it is to upgrade from 18ct White Gold to Platinum. The cost of refinishing your White Gold could be less. 

For further information on this service, please just contact us through the website or get in touch directly by email.

What are the first steps involved in upgrading to Platinum?

As your first step, get in touch for help. We recommend taking a photograph of your existing ring. Tell us a few details. It is helpful to understand what you want. During the early stages, we ask appropriate questions. 

Taking all of your needs into consideration, we create a personalized quote. With no obligation, you have full details of the suggested work with all costs ahead of work.  

We suggest you allow 4-5 weeks for the work itself. If we CAD design your ring, designs take around 1 week after you accept our quote. 

We offer photography upon completion if needed for £25.00. This works well for overseas clients who are unable to visit. In addition, photographs provide a blueprint of the ring in case of loss. 

We look forward to hearing from you and helping you upgrade your jewellery from 18ct White Gold to Platinum.

About Mark Johnson

My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. By day you'll find me working in our showroom—in a variety of roles. My work (which I love) ranges from photographing jewellery, to writing blog posts and helping clients with my colleagues Drina, Emily and Debbie.

About Mark Johnson

My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. By day you'll find me working in our showroom—in a variety of roles. My work (which I love) ranges from photographing jewellery, to writing blog posts and helping clients with my colleagues Drina, Emily and Debbie.