Best Precious Metals for Durable & Hypoallergenic Engagement Rings

Question
I have started looking at engagement rings. I have VERY acidic skin, and wear through most costume jewlery easily with exception to sterling silver. I want to choose a ring that I will be able to pass to my daughter or grand daughter one day, that won't be discolored. My preferences are in the white/silver family. ie: platinum, palladium or white gold. Which precious metal wears the best?

Answer
Thanks for the great question Amy.  Very few people understand that both white gold and platinum are typically plated!  No, they are not a cheap base metal with platinum or white gold on top- what I mean is that after a ring is made of platinum or white gold it is then plated with rhodium.  So you have a solid-gold or solid-platinum ring, but the top layer is rhodium plating that needs to be re-plated periodically.  

Your answer Amy is to choose palladium.  Understand that it is not cheap as it is quite rare, but there is no need to plate it.  It takes a deep polish and in quite lustrous.  It is a very "white" metal and therefore you needn't plate it with rhodium.

Thanks you,

David Fortier, GG
Staff Gemologist
Tiptopgem.com