Platinum is a very rare and expensive metal. Therefore, all platinum jewelry will be marked to show authenticity. Look for the words “Platinum," “PLAT," or “PT” followed or preceded by the numbers “950” or “999." These numbers refer to the purity of the platinum, with “999” as the most pure.
Identifying Platinum Through Visual Cues and Weight
Pure platinum jewelry, or jewelry that is at least 50% platinum, is typically marked with a stamp (also known as a hallmark). Usually, this mark will include a number like 850 followed by “plat or “pt”, which indicates the piece is 85% pure.
Answer. The simplest tests are heating and discoloration. If the item is heated, for example, in a Bunsen flame, platinum will be more difficult or impossible to melt and the platinum will not discolour. The effect of acid is another basic test.
Platinum jewelry should be stamped “PT” for pure platinum or “PT900” or “PT950,” indicating the number of parts per thousand that are pure platinum.
When an item is stamped “925 Platinum,” it means that it is made of 92.5% platinum.
Stampings and Markings
If you find a marking that contains the letters PT, Pt or Plat, you have found an item that is made of platinum. If you see a karat marking like K or k, usually accompanied by a number, the item is made of white gold.
Generally platinum is not magnetic. However, it depends on the platinum alloy: if the platinum is mixed with ruthenium, iridium or palladium then no, none of these are magnetic; if it's mixed with cobalt then yes, cobalt is magnetic so, theoretically, platinum can be attracted by a very powerful magnet.
Are platinum rings worth anything? Yes, platinum rings are, at a minimum, worth their weight in platinum.
In the U.S., jewelry containing less than 50-percent pure platinum cannot be marked with the word “Platinum” or any abbreviation thereof.
Each piece of platinum jewellery comes with a Quality Assurance Card and bears the purity hallmark of “Pt 950” stamped inside the piece.
Platinum is naturally a brilliant, grayish-white color. Over time, the metal does develop a patina that might make it look a little dull, but some people prefer this look since it makes diamonds look bigger. However, it can be quickly polished to restore its luster as needed.
Platinum is a very strong and heavy metal. The wearer of a platinum piece will have to decide if they can handle a heavier metal like platinum over a lighter metal like white gold.
Even platinum which is naturally a heavier and harder metal than gold will be prone to scratches and scuffs.
Platinum, on the other hand, is a completely white metal, and never needs plating. Plating will need to be done most frequently for rings because they receive the most wear (typically every 2-5 years).
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.
Platinum is one of the rarest metals available
For example, this Mid-Weight Men's Wedding Ring In Platinum in 95% percent platinum costs $783, compared to this Mid-Weight Men's Wedding Ring In White Gold $435 ring of the same size and weight in white gold.
does platinum tarnish? No. Platinum will not change color or fade over time, unlike some other metals. It's naturally white and remains that way.
Jewellery will only set off metal detectors if it's made from magnetic metals. This means that you don't need to remove good-quality rings, necklaces, bracelets and piercings if they're made from silver, gold or platinum.
Platinum is commonly used in jewellery and electronics. Although this precious metal looks great and is an excellent conductor, it has no magnetic properties.
Platinum is a very rare and expensive metal. Therefore, all platinum jewelry will be marked to show authenticity. Look for the words “Platinum," “PLAT," or “PT” followed or preceded by the numbers “950” or “999." These numbers refer to the purity of the platinum, with “999” as the most pure.
It is 4 – 4.5 on the MOHs scale of hardness. This means it can be scratched by anything harder than it is. Diamond is ten on the MOHs scale and can easily scratch platinum. An amethyst is a seven on the MOHs scale and can scratch platinum.
Platinum is also used to make jewelry and looks similar to white gold, but when compared side by side with white gold you can see that platinum has a more grayish color.