platinum jewelry meaning

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in 1979, New York and now specializes in Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry, consultations and expert witness work. The metal also looks stunning when combined with contrasting touches of 18K yellow gold. Determining the Alloy Metal Quality Find out what metal the platinum is mixed with. Product knowledge is vital. Approved. Examine the color and weight of the piece, as well. To the untrained eye, platinum, silver, and sterling silver may appear very similar at first glance. Only rhodium is more expensive than platinum. ", "I tried the hydrogen peroxide, and it worked just like you said it would. If it’s stamped with the letters PLAT, PT, or the word Platinum, it is platinum jewelry. As with most metals for jewelry… These markings indicate that your jewelry was made in Italy and is real sterling silver. The most common alloy metals paired with platinum are copper, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and titanium. Helped me to understand markings on my jewellery and I looked up the makers and found who made the, "An item of jewelry was given to me as a gift and was described as Platinum. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Acceptable alloys that are used with platinum are grouped together. For example, an authentic piece of platinum jewelry might have a stamp reading “PLAT999.". Could it be genuine? Another way to express that is to say that tea makes up ninety percent of the mix. It is usually stamped or inscribed on the piece. Last Updated: February 5, 2020 High-end rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings are fashioned from Platinum. If you have a chance to compare platinum and silver side-to-side, it's easy to distinguish the differences between them. This article was co-authored by Edward Lewand. "I have always wondered about the metal of a simple bracelet I have worn for over 30 years. ", "Clear and concise instructions to help identify sliver and platinum jewelry. However, "925" would indicate that the jewelry is sterling silver. Identify this type of jewelry by any of these other marks: “Plat 950,” “Pt950,” … The stone will scratch and damage a small section of the jewelry. If your jewelry doesn't have any markings at all it's probably not a precious metal. The platinum group of metals (PGM) are platinum, iridium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium and osmium. Edward Lewand is a Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. This article has been viewed 612,667 times. That makes the tea 900 parts per thousand of your mix. for 550 parts pure platinum, 350 parts palladium and 50 parts iridum. As we are approaching the new millennium and as platinum … Pure silver jewelry is rare as pure silver is soft and easily damaged. However, with a little practice, you'll be able to tell the difference in no time! Purity is the game. I have a silver bracelet with marks "Italy" and "925". Because of the purity of platinum, it is suitable to all skin types, no matter how … Here are some important platinum facts regarding content markings: The FTC is currently considering a request to allow manufacturers to mark jewelry as platinum even if it contains metals that are not part of the platinum group. Is a marking PLAT 950 silver or platinum? or 600 Plat. Platinum jewelry with 15% to 50% base metals also may be labeled "platinum.” These platinum/base metal alloys contain from 50 to 85% pure platinum, but the total of pure platinum and other platinum … Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 612,667 times. If it was marketed as platinum, chances are you got ripped off and were sold a silver ring, or the ring is silver and plated with another metal, such as rhodium or platinum. If you're still unsure about the authenticity of your jewelry, see a reputable jeweler. ", "Well written and interesting to a confused reader. Platinum is the now-most-sought-after metal especially for engagement and wedding jewellery, particularly for rings. If the jewelry is stamped with the number 925 or the letter S, it is made of sterling silver. Platinum is a rare precious metal primarily used to create fine jewelry. But how can you determine if jewelry you already own is made of platinum? Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. ", "Great information at no cost. The metal was first discovered in 1557. 350Pall. Platinum vs Silver Value. So to verify I was doing it the right way, I tried a couple of my rings and the silver ones bubbled almost immediately. These six related metals belong to the Platinum Group of Metals, or PGM: As long as 50% of the alloy contains platinum and some other combination of metals above, the piece can be labeled as containing platinum. Platinum, rhodium and palladium are the most frequent ores used in platinum jewelry. If for instance, jewelry contains 50% platinum and 50% gold, that piece can not contain a hallmark indicating the piece contains platinum. PLAT means platinum, and the 950 means that is it 950/1000 or 95% platinum. Determine what … This article was co-authored by Edward Lewand. If the solution turns white, the metal is 92.5% silver, or sterling silver. Standard Jewelry Abbreviations for Metals. Acid can burn your skin and is fatal if ingested. How about PTL on a fancy antique little baby picture holder? Hydrogen peroxide can be found at most grocery stores. Platinum … Since about 1900, platinum came into use in a major way in the making and manufacturing of jewelry. The DR probably refers to the maker of the jewelry. for 600 parts pure platinum and 350 parts iridium, "550Pt. Thank you for the easiest, safest test. Choose an inconspicuous part of the jewelry to rub against the stone. Platinum's natural white luster provides a rich backdrop for diamonds and can even make diamonds appear whiter than they really are. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The greater the percentage of platinum in your jewelry, the more value the … If you have a piece of sterling silver jewelry with a .925 stamp that's attracted to a magnet, see a reputable jeweler to verify its authenticity. What is platinum? 350 Irid." The .925 stamp is reserved for sterling silver, and refers to the silver content, at 925/1000 or 92.5 percent silver. There is considerable confusion about the meaning of quality marks that are seen on jewelry … Jewelry stores who sell high quality platinum offer 950 Grade (95% pure platinum) jewelry. 350Pd. But, unlike gold, platinum is not measured in karats. Both industry experts and jewelry retailers are slowly … Note that a “950 Platinum” mark indicates that jewelry is 95 percent pure platinum, or 950 parts pure platinum out of 1,000. For example, a stamp that says “S925” indicates that the jewelry is sterling silver. … 50Irid." Platinum derives its name from the Spanish word “platina,” meaning “little silver.” When an item is stamped “925 Platinum,” it means that it is made of 92.5% platinum. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Platinum is often used to produce the finest jewelry and for setting expensive gemstones. Medical Definition of platinum : a heavy precious grayish white noncorroding ductile malleable metallic element that fuses with difficulty and is used especially in chemical ware and apparatus, as a catalyst, … ", "Very helpful in determining if items are of value when disposing of them. Platinum is the most expensive of the precious metals. Lay a towel down underneath the stone to protect your work surface from scratches. This is due to a number of factors, including its rarity, higher levels of purity when used in jewelry, and the complex level of expertise and tools required when crafting jewelry from platinum. When considering platinum jewelry, the purity mark “950” denotes a composition of 95 percent platinum with a mix of other metal alloys, while “900” is made up of 90 percent platinum, and … Because of its hardness and … Purity is the percentage of pure platinum that is in your jewelry or item. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Platinum Purity Considered among the most pure and precious metals used in modern -day jewelry making, platinum has become synonymous with luxury and longevity. This article received 17 testimonials and 86% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. If the stamp reads "999", "S925," "925S", "Pure Silver", or "Sterling Silver", then your medal is made of genuine silver. Although some alloys may be billed as platinum by jewelry sellers, there are stringent requirements for what constitutes a 'pure' platinum piece. For instance, "600 Pt. Pt is the name. If you use the 18-karat gold acid test to test on silver, the line will turn a milky white color. This number doesn't match any common numbers that indicate the purity of the metal. If the line stays, it's platinum. "DR STERLING" is stamped on the back oan a silver and onyx pendant I bought in New Mexico years ago-any meaning on the DR? The US Federal Trade Commission, FTC, publishes guidelines for acceptable marking standards for platinum jewelry sold in the US. All modern platinum jewelry requires stamps indicating metal content. Hydrogen peroxide won't corrode or damage your jewelry. If you get any acid on your hands you will burn your skin. Most tests have acids specifically for silver. If a ring is stamped 925, is it platinum? ​Carly Wickell is a writer and jewelry expert. Only metals marked with a 950 or 900 purity designation are considered high-grade platinum. The letters PT and PLAT are often used to indicate platinum is used. Wear gloves to protect your hands and work over a towel to protect your workspace. This ushered in the Edwardian era, known for its exceptionally fine yet durable lace-like platinum work. In the 1700's platinum was discovered in South America. Education and information about platinum is good business. Instead, it is measured by its purity percentage. Many jewelry marks represent the metal content of the piece. The STERLING part indicates that your jewelry is real sterling silver. Platinum is the rarest and most expensive of the precious metals. Platinum holds fine gemstones firmly in place for the life of the jewelry when used for prongs and other setting components. Well, that certainly tells you something. Instead, it probably refers to the brand or manufacturer. Also, you must include the alloy present in the mix if the piece contains less than 85% pure platinum. When you select platinum jewelry, you’re buying a product that consists of a metal that’s almost entirely pure – 90-95%. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. If you want to identify whether a piece of jewelry is platinum or silver, first examine the jewelry for any etchings in the metal. This is important because silver-plated and sterling silver items look virtually identical to the untrained eye. The word platinum … If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. 350 Ir." Keep all acids and acid testing kits out of the reach of children. If it dissolves, it's not. Platinum jewelry is rare and exotic, and is the fastest growing jewelry … But before you pay your good money for a piece of jewelry, here is … Jewelry that contains 850, 900 or 950 parts per thousand of pure platinum may be marked "Plat" or "Pt" if a number is used in front of the term to disclose the amount of pure platinum in the mix, such as : Jewelry that contains at least 950 parts per thousand of platinum group metals, with at least 500 parts per thousand of the total pure platinum, may be marked as platinum as long as the numbers of each metal are disclosed. Jewelry that contains at least 950 parts per thousand of pure platinum may be marked or described as "Platinum". Using an Acid Scratch Testing Kit Use an acid testing kit on hard-to-verify jewelry. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Platinum jewelry is the perfect choice for a lifetime of everyday wear. Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser. Our Expert Agrees: When you're testing for platinum, you scrape a little piece of the jewelry on a stone, then you drop nitric hydrochloric acid on it. Platinum is one of the heaviest metals used to make estate jewelry. What does this mean? What does the number 5372 mean on a ring? A quality mark contains information about metal content that appears on an article. The easiest way to determine the metal used in your jewelry is by examining the hallmarks or markings. My St. Christopher medal has stamped silver on the back. He completed his residency in graduate gemology at the G.I.A. Think about it like this: you mix up a huge bucket of fruit tea that contains 1,000 ounces--900 hundred of the ounces are plain tea and 100 are fruit juice. There are also hallmarks that can identify where the item was … Buy a kit that can test for both silver and platinum. The etchings may be on the clasp, a tag, or the largest part of the jewelry. There's no question that there are many advantages to choosing platinum over white gold. ", How to Identify Platinum and Silver Jewelry, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiGrtLoJ2dY&feature=youtu.be&t=71, https://www.zales.com/jewelry101/index.jsp?page=preciousMetals, https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0294-platinum-jewelry, http://blog.stuller.com/working-with-platinum/?utm_source=Platinum_questions, https://www.pricescope.com/journal/overview_common_alloys_used_jewelry, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQHoiWF7TkE&feature=youtu.be&t=127, http://www.danaraejewelry.com/is-my-sterling-silver-real.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBseKUZ0OvA&feature=youtu.be&t=111, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQHoiWF7TkE&feature=youtu.be&t=148, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBseKUZ0OvA&feature=youtu.be&t=262, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbFPreBkjQU&feature=youtu.be&t=28, http://www.chemicool.com/elements/platinum.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6JQZGSyzuk&feature=youtu.be&t=23, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uAonn4T-Us&feature=youtu.be&t=80, Riconoscere Gioielli di Platino e d'Argento, отличить платиновые украшения от серебряных, identifier un bijou en platine ou en argent, Bestimmen ob ein Schmuckstück aus Platin oder Silber ist, Mengidentifikasi Perhiasan Platinum dan Perak, Platin ve Gümüş Mücevherler Nasıl Tespit Edilir, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Its heavy weight and durability make platinum a metal that will not wear away with constant use like gold. No. Edward Lewand is a Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. This article has been viewed 612,667 times. The acronym PTL refers to a kind of sheet metal and is not a precious metal. Don't drop acid on clasps or other important sections. References Ask your jeweler to explain platinum content and markings if you are not sure which combination is the most suitable for your jewelry purchase. Also, platinum isn't really white—it's actually a gray color. Its heavy weight and durability make platinum a metal that will not wear away with constant use like gold. As you have read above, the "950" designation doesn't really mean … ", "Took silver test solution, and test stick works very well. The bottle labels will indicate which metal they are used to test for. Platinum/cobalt alloys will usually be stamped as PLAT, Pt950, or possibly Pt950/Co. If the kit doesn't include gloves, buy some separately. Platinum is a heavy, precious metal, gray-white in color and noncorrosive. If you doubt your results, test the jewelry again to be sure. The major platinum jewelry … Great article! ", "Helped to identified the real silver and platinum.". The rest is an alloy, which is mixed with the platinum. If you can't find … or "550Plat. ", "The article contained knowledge for future reference. "Platinaire" is an alloy that contains 92.5% silver and 5% platinum, with the 2.5% remaining usually consisting of copper or gold. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Its density and weight make it a durable jewelry metal. % of people told us that this article helped them. Platinum is a precious heavy metal. Platinum does not wear away and holds precious stones firmly and securely. "529" probably refers to a maker or manufacturer. ", "The literature, characters, and photographic information helped! Platinum content is usually expressed as the amount of pure platinum the jewelry contains in parts per thousand. Platinum is a rare precious metal primarily used to create fine jewelry. If you can't read the markings on your jewelry, or there aren't any, read the article for tips on testing jewelry with an acid testing kit, a silver testing solution, or hydrogen peroxide. Jewelry can contain different percentages of pure platinum. It's a metal that's elegant when used all by itself to create a piece of jewelry, either a simple polished item or a design with engraved motifs. She contributed to The Spruce for over 11 years. The most common alloy used to harden sterling silver is copper, which is not magnetic. I believe that the desire for "950" platinum is primarily driven by the fact that 950 is a bigger number than 900 - it looks better in "print" - so it must be "better". She has a special interest in vintage jewelry. I used the peroxide, "Great answers. in 1979, New York and now specializes in Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry, consultations and expert witness work. Platinum has come a long way from being a metal affordable only by the elite, being accessible even to middle class patrons. He is a Certified Appraiser of the Appraiser Association of America (AAA) and an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) of the American Society of Appraisers In Gems and Jewelry. He completed his residency in graduate gemology at the G.I.A. Common Platinum Jewelry Hallmarks Just like gold, platinum is measured by its fineness. Typically, you'll find metal content stamps near the clasp on necklaces and bracelets, on the inside surface of rings, and on the backs of earrings, pin… Platinum is much denser than silver, so it will have more heft to it. Understanding the metal content of your piece can help you make sure you get the quality for which you're paying. Will now test my jewelry. He is a Certified Appraiser of the Appraiser Association of America (AAA) and an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) of the American Society of Appraisers In Gems and Jewelry. Each piece is stamped to mark its metal content, and you can also use the … ", "I used the magnet method and it seemed to work fairly well. Platinum is one of the most popular metals of choice for ring settings, because the strength and color of platinum … Here to help you navigate your platinum jewelry purchase with education and insights into the latest styles from leading experts. Because it is both dense and malleable, it is ideal in jewelry production. Jewelry can be made from a variety of metals, including gold, silver, and platinum. As platinum jewelry continues to gain market share, nearly every jeweler will have contact with this most precious metal. Anything less should not be considered either pure or hypoallergenic or of substantive quality. test, and unfortunately, no bubbles. Mined from deep within the Earth and … If you can't read the markings on your jewelry, or there aren't any, read the article for tips on testing jewelry with an acid testing kit, a silver testing solution, or hydrogen peroxide. However, you can also use an 18-karat gold testing acid to identify pure or sterling silver. 50Ir." {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Identify-Platinum-and-Silver-Jewelry-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Identify-Platinum-and-Silver-Jewelry-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f1\/Identify-Platinum-and-Silver-Jewelry-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1265826-v4-728px-Identify-Platinum-and-Silver-Jewelry-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"