Introduction
The beauty and the luxurious quality of platinum jewelry has been revered by civilizations around the world since ancient times. Platinum is both rare and durable, making it an ideal precious metal for producing long-lasting pieces of jewelry. Its silvery white color gives it a unique style that always catches the eye, as well as its strength which makes it difficult to scratch or tarnish. Therefore, if you’re looking for a timeless piece of jewelry with an enduring luxury aesthetic, choosing a piece crafted from platinum is an excellent choice. But how can one tell if jewelry is truly made from platinum? Below, we’ll cover some methods for recognizing this incredibly valuable metal and distinguishing it from substitutes such as nickel or silver alloys.
Appearance & Size
Platinum jewelry is distinguished by its silver white color. Platinum jewelry is often smoother and more polished than other types of silver jewelry, which may have a slightly grayish tinge. It also has a higher weight than jewelry made with other metals, including sterling silver and gold. Platinum jewelry usually measures between 90 to 95 parts per 1000 grades (95% pure). Additionally, the metal is denser than others so pieces tend to be heavier, although some designs may be the same size as similar pieces made in other materials. Jewelry constructed with platinum typically appears larger due to the metal’s density but will not tarnish like gold or silver. Pieces of platinum jewelry often feature intricate design elements that can vary from smooth or sleek finishes to textured textures such as milgrain etchings. Images or photos of average platinum jewelry would include wedding bands, necklaces, earrings, and rings.
How To Tell If It’s Platinum
Platinum alloy jewelry is an excellent choice for both its beauty and durability. However, with so many different metals and alloys on the market today, it can be difficult to determine if a jewelry piece is made of a platinum alloy or not. Fortunately, there are several ways to tell if your jewelry is indeed composed of a platinum alloy.
First, look at the appearance of the jewelry. Platinum alloys typically have an off-white color with hints of yellow or silver shining through. Silver can also blacken or tarnish over time, indicating that it may not be composed of a platinum alloy.
Next, take a magnet and test whether or not the item sticks to it; although some pieces may contain elements like iron which will cause them attract magnetic forces slightly, true platinum space should be far less attracted to magnets than other metals like gold and silver.
Third, conduct the scratch test. Jewelry made from platinum is much more durable and scratch resistant than other metals such as gold or silver. To perform the scratch test, you’ll need something hard enough to make any mark on the metal surface (e.g., house key). Remember to be cautious while performing this test as too much pressure might actually damage your jewelry piece! A characteristic sign that your jewelry is made out of a platinum alloy is that when scratching it against such object no visible scratches result, whereas you would expect some signs of wear on gold and silver items after performing this test in the same way.
Finally, ask an expert if still uncertain about whether your item contains some percentage of platinum — high-end stores usually employ knowledgeable staff who can quickly identify and professionally assess what kind of metal was used in creating any particular piece of jewelry you bring them! Furthermore, online tutorials such as video demonstrations are available for anyone interested in learning how to differentiate between different types of precious metals used in jewelry creation these days such as gold and silver versus platinum alloys based on their individual characteristics such as color changes over time or build quality resistance against wear & tear after repetitive use!
Pros & Cons of Platinum Jewelry
Pros of Platinum Jewelry:
Platinum jewelry is incredibly durable and long-lasting – it is very resistant to rust and tarnish, which makes it an excellent choice for people who want their jewelry to remain pristine over time. In terms of styling, platinum is incredibly versatile; it can be fashioned into a variety of shapes and sizes, including intricate designs. Furthermore, customer reviews and testimonials often highlight the astounding beauty of platinum jewelry when compared to other metals.
Cons of Platinum Jewelry:
The biggest downside to platinum jewelry is its cost – it is significantly more expensive than other types of metal jewelry because of its rarity and durability. Although most pieces can last for many years with proper maintenance and care, accidental damage or loss may be more difficult to replace due to the higher cost. Additionally, pieces may require special cleaners or polishers adding to ongoing costs.
Care of Platinum Jewelry
When it comes to caring for platinum jewelry, the most important thing is to always follow the manufacturer’s specific care recommendations. In general, when you’re cleaning platinum jewelry it’s best to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a mild cleanser such as soap and warm water or ammonia and lukewarm water. You should also avoid using harsh chemical cleaners or ultrasonic equipment as these can damage your pieces. Additionally, with heavier-weight items in particular, it’s wise to ensure that they are stored safely; store them individually rather than together in the same bag/container as they may scratch each other.
For regular cleaning of dirt and residue on your plain platinum items such as wedding bands, specialty jewelry cleaners such as Haggerty Platinum Profiles is recommended – this product is specifically designed for use with platinum only and should be used with careful guidance from the manufacturer. It shouldn’t be used directly on pearls or gemstones. For gemstones set into platinum settings you should bring them to a professional for safe cleaning and care.
Conclusion
In conclusion, how to tell if jewelry is made of platinum is a relatively simple process if you know what you’re looking for. Be sure to check the markings on the back of the jewelry, inspect it for any discoloration or tarnishing, and look for markings that indicate high quality metal pieces. If all else fails, get your piece professionally tested in a laboratory. For more information about identifying platinum jewelry or its value as well as other common precious metal pieces, be sure to check out our related links below.
Welcome to my jewelry blog! My name is Sarah and I am the owner of this blog.
I love making jewelry and sharing my creations with others.
So whether you’re someone who loves wearing jewelry yourself or simply enjoys learning about it, be sure to check out my blog for insightful posts on everything related to this exciting topic!
