Platinum is more difficult to work with, and often needs a jeweller with experience to produce a good job. Therefore, the labour cost is roughly 20% more than with white gold. Platinum can not be re-used and re-melted like white gold. Therefore, any scraps and filings must be sent to a refiner which is very expensive.
There is a very good reason for reusing old Gold or Platinum rather than offsetting the cost of the ring by selling the metal as part of the process. This reason is sentimental. If you have an heirloom ring or an item of intense sentimental value, this can be transformed into a new item.
There is often a bit of porosity when we melt up gold too, but this isn't so bad as it is with platinum. The structure of gold can usually 'cope' without getting too weak unlike platinum which cannot cope if there is loads of porosity in it as the structure can become very weak.
Platinum, gold and silver can generally be sized larger or smaller by two sizes depending on the style. And, in some cases, extra metal can be added to the ring if you need additional sizing help. Alternative metals cannot usually be resized.
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.
The cool, elegant look of platinum for engagement rings and other jewelry is especially popular today and with good reason: it is the strongest, most pure metal. Platinum is more rare than gold and will last a lifetime, resisting chipping and tarnishing.
When resizing platinum rings, the jeweler must remove the gemstone(s) to avoid damaging them. The reason for this is that the high heat can mess up the gemstones as they move quickly through platinum. The gem could be fragile, like an opal. Removal of the gems is the first step in the process.
Therefore, it's the most expensive to resize. Resizing a platinum ring up costs around $100 at the lower end of the scale, and could go up to as high as $300 for more complex rings. If you're resizing down, because of the difficulty in working with the material, expect around $60-$100 for one size down.
Similar to white gold, a platinum piece can be brought back to life by a jeweler who can restore its original condition simply by polishing it.
Because of its rarity, platinum is valuable and will hold its value as the years pass. We now know that platinum is a naturally white metal. Because of its pure white color that won't change over time, you never have to worry about any unwanted color reflecting into the diamond.
Very little. But if you're wearing a particular platinum jewelry piece every day, then be cautious of what it comes into contact with. Harsh cleaning chemicals such as bleach are a strict no-no. Even repeated exposure to chlorine in swimming pools causes the platinum to weaken over time.
Platinum also has poor resale value as only a limited number of shops buy it back.
Platinum: Despite being nearly identical in appearance, platinum is more valuable than gold. Platinum's high price point can be attributed to its rarity and density as precious metals are often priced by their weight.
At today's platinum price, a typical men's platinum wedding band will sell for about $800 retail and fetch about half that in scrap prices. Online diamond buyers, like DiamondsUSA can offer an online estimate immediately, though a full actual offer price requires a jewelry appraisal or lab report.
Platinum as a material can be resized, but it requires a craftsman who is familiar with it. Platinum requires much higher temperatures than gold when crafting from scratch, as well as resizing.
Metal Type: As we mentioned above, rings made of tungsten, ceramic, or titanium cannot be resized because the material is too hard. Additionally, rose gold is another material that can't because it's known to crack easily under extreme stress.
As long as the ring is made of precious metal, such as gold, silver, or platinum, most rings can be resized. However, if it's made of wood, quartz, or another non-metal material, it likely cannot be resized. There are a few other specific types of rings, such as full eternity bands with gemstones all the way around.
One disadvantage associated with platinum jewelry is its high cost relative to other types of metals, such as Gold and Silver.
Platinum's cool white sheen is perfect for accentuating the sparkle and brilliance of diamonds as it doesn't cause any colour to be reflected in the stone. Platinum is extremely durable and strong making it ideal for jewellery that's worn on a daily basis.
Why Is Platinum Difficult to Resize? Resizing platinum rings can be tricky. Compared to the other precious metals, platinum requires a higher heating point and the labor is more intensive and time-consuming. Heat travels relatively faster through platinum, increasing the risk of damaging stones in the sizing process.
Platinum. Similar to gold, this is a precious metal that won't tarnish or react to water. Platinum jewelry is so resilient that it can even withstand the most corrosive elements. However, be aware that it can discolor over time due to the chemicals present in shampoo and soap.
Yes, you can shower with platinum on. Usually what makes platinum dirty are things like lotions, soaps or sweat.
Platinum is easier to maintain over time than white gold. Platinum is also the most hypoallergenic of all metals, because of its purity. Platinum is made of 95% pure platinum, where white gold is made out of 75% pure gold, and 25% other metals.