The Truth about Platinum

Most of us have heard about how great platinum is and how strong it is, however there is a few misconceptions about the benefits of platinum. Most of my customers think that platinum is very hard and won’t scratch, almost indestructible if you will, this is not true. So let’s get into the benefits of platinum, what it is, why it's more expensive and whether or not it’s a good choice for you!

To start, platinum is not hard, it’s actually quite soft and shows wear very easily. So why then is it hyped up so much? Platinum doesn’t have what is called “metal memory,” meaning that when you bend it or move it, it doesn’t want to spring back to where it was before, it will just stay there. This is why so many jewelers love using platinum to set stones.

Why is platinum so expensive?

So what is platinum and why is it more expensive that gold even though it currently costs less per ounce? When you are buying platinum you are buying between 90-95% pure platinum, remember when we talked about the different karats of gold and what they mean, the highest karat of gold commonly sold is 18kt which is 75% pure gold. With these numbers you can see you are getting a purer metal when buying a piece of platinum jewelry.

Aside from buying more platinum, because it is more dense it weighs more, so put the two together and there is your answer as to why platinum is more expensive.

Side note! It is also harder to work with which causes an increase in price as well.

What are the Pros of Buying a Platinum Piece of Jewelry?

• Harder to scratch than gold or silver

• Is more dense than gold or silver, giving it a nice heavy feel

• Less brittle than gold or silver

• No metal memory, great for stone/diamond setting

• Highly resistant to tarnishing

• Hypoallergenic

• More “pure” than gold

• Does not need rhodium plating like white gold

What are the Cons to Buying a Platinum Piece of Jewelry?

• Will show wear and tear more easily, such as dents

• Over time shows a patina that some either love or hate

• Does not stay as shiny as gold/white gold in the long run

• Softer metal, some rings due to their structure can loose their shape more easily

• Usually more expensive

Should I Buy Platinum or Not?

This is a personal choice and one I can't make for you, I'm just here to give you the basic facts. When shopping for a piece of jewelry ask your jeweler questions, try pieces on, see if the color of the metal compliments your skin tone, and then make your decision! Platinum is an excellent choice!