Platinum is a luxurious, very durable metal that has been used in jewelry manufacturing since the mid 1800’s.
Why then does platinum scratch so easily?
Why can’t we just wear it and not worry about it scratching at all?
We have all heard that platinum is the strongest of metals…but if this is so, then how can something so strong at the same time be so wimpy enough to scratch just by glancing at it?
There are many reasons why platinum jewelry can scratch easily. Platinum is quite malleable despite it’s strength, and jewelry made from platinum tends to be between 90-95% pure.
In order to clear up any confusion about how your brand new shiny platinum wedding band looks as though it came straight from a pawn shop within a monthafter the wedding, let’s look at this metal as opposed to gold.
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How Platinum Jewelry Differs From Gold
Pure gold is heavy, but platinum is heavier and weighs 60% more than the exact same sized chunk of gold.
While pure gold is heavy, it is not strong; but since platinum is heavier, it is thought of as being stronger, which is not necessarily so.
Both metals are malleable, and both can break under the right amount of stress. So then, why does platinum scratch so easily if it is so heavy and seemingly so strong?
Consider this: when gold is struck against a harder object, it will actually lose some of its own metal during that “meeting.” The gold will be left behind onto the object that struck it like the paint coming off one of the two cars that crashed into each other.
Platinum on the other hand, when colliding with a harder object, will just saunter right off to the side and refuse to give up any part of itself, like a drunk clinging to their bottle.
This difference creates, over a short period of time, thousands of tiny scratches rather than the obvious gouges and cuts that you often see with gold.
Platinum can be polished out to bring back the shine.
However, if you’re looking to maintain that shine, you’ll need to either acquire some highly focused caretaking skills or accept the fact that a matt patina is inevitable.
Is It Normal For Platinum To Scratch?
Platinum is more pure than what is commonly used for making gold jewelry.
Platinum only has 5% alloys added to it when used to make jewelry. Gold on the other hand, for jewelry making, is using an average of 25-40% harder alloys mixed into the gold and thus, is actually less susceptible to scratching unlike platinum is.
Pure platinum has a hardness of 4 on the MOHs hardness scale; but even though pure gold is only 2.5 (softer), because of the greater amount of additions of alloys, gold actually ends up being harder than platinum by the time it is used in making jewelry.
What Can Damage Platinum?
Understanding this, you should be very careful when handling your jewelry. Abrasion, over tightening, or dropping your jewelry can all easily cause scratches.
Platinum can be damaged by various harsh chemicals and materials in the environment as well, such as:
- bleach/chlorine
- salt water
- dirt and grime
- glass
Whatever can damage any type of metal, can and will scratch platinum.
But what’s the worst that can happen?
The best way to prevent platinum scratches is by understanding how the metal reacts when it is in contact with these sorts of substances.
You can then avoid putting platinum near anything that will damage it and keep your jewelry looking like new for years to come!
Can Platinum Rings Crack?
The bad news is that platinum jewelry can, in fact, crack.
The reason for this comes down to the extreme strength and durability of platinum. The result is that it’s both very resistant to corrosion, and very brittle.
If the ring is over stretched for sizing, has been sized and the jeweler did not match the exact type of alloy contained in the platinum metal, if there were impurities or contaminates in the platinum while being made, or if there was abuse such as crushing or excessive force, a platinum ring will crack.
Sometimes, when a platinum ring was being cast, the temperature was too cold which can cause cracks to appear either immediately or after a period of time with wear.
Unless the fracture is caused by contamination in the manufacturing of the metal, it is usually due to overworking an area on a shank or using the incorrect material while sizing or stretching it too far with a mandrel.
How To Keep Platinum From Scratching
Platinum jewelry can also be more expensive than gold, so platinum owners are always looking for ways to save money and keep their platinum pieces in pristine condition.
It is especially important for platinum owners to learn how to prevent scratching, and what can be done if their platinum piece gets scratched.
Here are some tips that will help you maintain your platinum’s shine like new:
- Clean your platinum regularly with warm water and a soft cloth to keep abrasive grit from adding to the scratching.
- Keep your platinum separated from your other jewelry. Rubbing metal against metal is certain to leave scratches on the platinum behind.
- Do not be tempted to take your platinum ring into a jewelry store too frequently for polishing to restore luster. They will use a rough compound on a high velocity polishing wheel that can, over many polishes, wear and thin down the metal. Each time any ring is professionally polished, some material is left behind on the felt, buffs and brushes. Platinum is no exception.
- Do not wear your platinum when you are doing work that could scratch it, such as: yard work, house work or fixing a car for example.
How To Fix A Scratched Piece of Platinum Jewelry
If you do find your platinum jewelry has scratches that are visible to the naked eye, there is hope.
Platinum can be repaired using a very fine abrasive polish, such as white rouge, and a soft cotton cloth – but make sure to test the polish in an inconspicuous spot first!
If the scratch is too deep for hand-polishing alone, you are going to have to take it to the jeweler for polishing if you want it to shine like it did when it was brand new.
It is possible to do this yourself with some inexpensive tools, such as a Dremel with special polishing compound.
However, jewelry can quickly become damaged or even ruined if it’s not done by an expert.
Keep in mind that because platinum is soft, it will scratch again and again if you are actually going to wear it with regularity.
Whatever the case may be, scratches are inevitable – but with proper care they can at least be minimized so your beautiful piece stays looking stunning for years to come!
The Best Way To Store Your Platinum Pieces
The best way to store platinum is in an air tight container where the platinum will not come into contact with other metals, such as your other gold or silver jewelry.
Platinum loves to be snuggled and wrapped up into materials that resemble the softness of a newborn receiving blanket. Additionally, platinum likes to be the one and only piece inside that soft cloth-lined container.
This way, platinum will be protected from scratches and other forms of damage.
And if you have multiple platinum pieces, it’s a great way to keep them organized and easy to find when you’re ready to wear them!
Final Thoughts
Platinum is a beautiful, luxurious metal that should be cherished and treated with the utmost care. With a little bit of knowledge and some preventative tips, you can keep your platinum shining like new for years to come!
Platinum is 30 times more rare than gold and is 95% pure when the final piece is made into jewelry, unlike the vast majority of gold jewelry.
However, it is prone to losing its shine and luster.
If you look at a Tungsten ring, then that matte finish is the natural patina that you can expect to have when wearing your platinum (if you are wearing it daily).
If you like the matte finish, then you are going to be happy with platinum because it will never discolor, and will settle into a permanent finish or patina that will include many thousands of scratches…much the same way we become forged in character by the thousands of experiences and choices we make throughout life.
Why erase such valuable history?
If you prefer the qualities of platinum over gold, the fact that it never loses its original weight, nor does its design become worn off from normal everyday wear, then you might consider buying a platinum ring that has a lot of attractive tooling or milgrain details in it that will actually compliment the natural appearance.
Check out our store for a platinum ring that is perfect for you.