Engraving White Gold, Platinum and Yellow Gold

In this guide

    By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio · Updated October 22, 2026

    Short answer: Yes, white gold and platinum both take hand engraving well. Yellow gold is still the metal most of our clients choose: 76% of our ring orders, against 10% platinum and 9% white gold. On our engraved listed rings, 14K white and yellow gold cost the same, 18K adds $400 CAD and platinum $650 CAD.

    Most engraving photos online are yellow gold, which leaves people wondering if white metal works. It does. It just looks different: cooler, brighter, with the pattern drawn in light rather than shadow.

    How does engraving look on white gold vs yellow gold?

    On yellow gold the cuts sit darker than the warm surface around them, so the pattern reads strongly from a distance. On white gold and platinum the cuts flash bright, so the pattern looks finer and sparkles as the ring moves. Our Flowers + Shading photo shows the same style on both.

    Two bands side by side, one white gold and one yellow gold, both hand engraved with shaded flowers

    Flowers + Shading on white gold and yellow gold, side by side.

    Which metal do people choose?

    Yellow gold, by a wide margin: 76% of our ring orders from December 2025 to October 2026, with platinum at 10% and white gold at 9%, counted in the SMIRO Ring Report. Warm gold makes the cuts read darker, which is part of why engraving suits it.

    Can you hand engrave platinum?

    Yes. Platinum is denser than gold and takes a crisp cut. Jack's ring has a platinum bezel with engraving around the diamond, on a 14K yellow gold band engraved on three sides.

    3D render of Jack's radiant ring: a white metal bezel on a yellow gold band hand engraved with scroll

    3D render of Jack's 2.59 carat radiant: platinum bezel, engraved yellow gold band.

    What does an engraved ring cost in each metal?

    Metal Marquise Bypass Vintage Engraved Radiant Hidden Halo Floral Engraved
    14K yellow or white gold $4,600 CAD $4,900 CAD
    18K yellow or white gold $5,000 CAD $5,300 CAD
    14K two tone $5,100 CAD $5,400 CAD
    Platinum $5,250 CAD $5,550 CAD

    Live prices with a 2 carat lab grown diamond, read October 22, 2026.

    Does white gold engraving need special care?

    White gold is usually rhodium plated for its bright white colour. As plating wears from the high spots, the cuts can look darker until it is redone. Platinum is not plated, so it just develops a soft sheen. See what rhodium plating is and our metal pages for white gold and platinum.

    Hand engraved orchids on the side of a white gold band under the headA vine of leaves hand engraved along a white gold band, on a textured background with beaded edges

    Orchids, left, and Leaves + Shading, right, both on white gold.

    Torn between metals? We will render your engraving in both.

    A free 20 minute video call with our team. Bring a photo, a budget, or nothing at all.

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    From our collection

    Marquise Bypass Vintage Engraved engagement ring in gold, back angleMarquise Bypass Vintage EngravedOval Outer Halo Vintage Engraved engagement ring in gold, back angleOval Outer Halo Vintage EngravedRadiant Hidden Halo Floral Engraved engagement ring in yellow gold, back angleRadiant Hidden Halo Floral EngravedEmerald Full Bezel Floral Engraved engagement ring in yellow gold, back angleEmerald Full Bezel Floral Engraved

    Questions we get about this

    Can you engrave white gold?

    Yes. White gold takes hand engraving well; the cuts look bright against the white surface.

    Can you hand engrave platinum?

    Yes. Platinum is dense and takes a crisp cut. Jack's ring has an engraved platinum bezel on an engraved yellow gold band.

    Which metal shows engraving best?

    Yellow gold shows it most strongly from a distance, because the cuts sit darker than the warm metal. On white gold and platinum the cuts flash bright instead.

    Does engraving cost more on platinum?

    On our engraved listed rings platinum is $650 CAD more than 14K gold.

    Can a two tone ring be engraved?

    Yes. A common version is a white metal head on an engraved yellow gold band.

    Keep reading

    Written by Clint Casmiro, co-founder of Smiro Studio with Karina. We are second generation jewellers. Our dad Kenny has more than 40 years at the bench and oversees production, and we have built over a thousand tulip basket rings. Every ring is designed in CAD before it is made. We ship free and insured across Canada and the US.

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