Only polishing will remove scratches from gold and platinum. However, the patina of fine scratches that develops over time can add beauty to the jewelry and can reflect the journey a piece has taken. The polishing process removes metal and is only recommended to be carried out a few times over the life of the piece.
Even platinum which is naturally a heavier and harder metal than gold will be prone to scratches and scuffs.
Platinum is very durable. When scratched, the scratch actually displaces the metal, leaving ridges on the edges of the scratch. This is where durability comes in. Whereas other precious metals, if scratched, lose metal, and thus wear down, Platinum does so at a much slower rate.
If a high shine is preferred, your jeweler can bring it back to its original luster using professional polishing tools. Remember: Platinum will always retain its original bright, white color.
Believe it or not, the chemicals present in everyday products like cleaning supplies, perfumes, hairsprays, etc. can be quite harsh. They can weaken the structure of your precious metal over a period of time. Also, the chlorine present in swimming pools can ruin the platinum's shine and cause discoloration.
Platinum takes more effort to polish, for the simple reason that it does not wear as other precious metals do - Platinum, has a liquid surface. Other metals lose mass over time, these deteriorations take a lot longer with platinum.
The cheapest and easiest way to clean platinum rings is by soaking them in a sudsy solution of warm water and a mild washing up liquid for around 30 minutes. This will lift any built-up grime and debris from your rings, effortlessly restoring their lustre.
Regular cleaning at home can preserve the shine and remove the patina from your platinum jewelry pieces. However, professional cleaning by a professional jeweler is essential at least once a year for your jewelry.
Our prices start at $90 to polish worn platinum rings.
The appearance of small scratches on platinum
It is the nature of the material to show signs of wear and tear. Small scratches and wear contrast with the brand-new look of a ring. Over time, wear will gradually build on the surface of the ring. Owing to the density of Platinum, scratches tend not to wear through it.
Don't use a hard toothbrush because they tend to scratch the metals (gold, platinum, etc.). Abrasive cleaners and toothpaste or toothpowder will also scratch the metals. This will take away the shine.
To clean the crevices and intricate elements of your jewellery, you can use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Follow this up by rinsing your jewellery in clean water and drying it with a lint-free cloth. Believe it or not, in less than 10 minutes, your platinum jewellery will have a renewed sparkle!
Platinum is not a hard metal. It is 4 – 4.5 on the MOHs scale of hardness. This means it can be scratched by anything harder than it is.
White gold is a harder metal than platinum, meaning that it is not as easily scratched or dented. This is because of the white gold alloy, it is gold mixed with harder metals such as palladium, silver or copper.
The downside of Platinum is that it tends to lose its high polish and sharp edges fairly quickly. This is not because they are being worn away but, more accurately, they are being moulded like clay around the surface of the ring.
Platinum is extremely durable and strong making it ideal for jewellery that's worn on a daily basis. It's highly resistant to stress and withstands both extreme heat and extreme cold, which means platinum jewellery will retain its good looks better than any other metal.
The only disadvantages to platinum are the higher cost and heavier weight. For example, platinum is a great metal for necklaces, bracelets and rings but not earrings, because the heavy weight may pull down more on your ears and cause discomfort.
Picasso Blue is ideal for platinum. Depending on the finish you want, this compound can be used on either platinum or gold.
Pour half a cup of white vinegar to into the pan. The vinegar will activate the base solution and cause the it to begin bubbling. Leave the platinum in the bubbling solution for five to ten minutes. Rinse and dry your platinum.
Don't use toothpaste or boiling water to clean your jewelry since these things could damage it.
Salt causes erosion of soldered gold, silver or platinum elements. As a result, the precious metal may weaken meaning your jewellery could potentially break.
You can clean a ring with Windex if it just has diamonds set in a gold, silver, or platinum setting.
While at first glance both silver and platinum appear silver in color, the two metals are actually easily discernible to the naked eye. Both have gray undertones, unlike white gold which has a warmer, yellow undertone, but platinum is much brighter and shinier and silver has a duller, gray appearance.
Chlorine can damage and discolor metals (like gold and platinum) and can slowly erode the finish and polish of gemstones.