Only rhodium is more expensive than platinum. Only metals marked with a 950 or 900 purity designation are considered high-grade 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 … By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. If you use the 18-karat gold acid test to test on silver, the line will turn a milky white color. Another way to express that is to say that tea makes up ninety percent of the mix. Because of the purity of platinum, it is suitable to all skin types, no matter how … in 1979, New York and now specializes in Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry, consultations and expert witness work. This article was co-authored by Edward Lewand. 350Pd. What does the number 5372 mean on a ring? As we are approaching the new millennium and as platinum … Well, that certainly tells you something. But, unlike gold, platinum is not measured in karats. Platinum has come a long way from being a metal affordable only by the elite, being accessible even to middle class patrons. 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. PLAT means platinum, and the 950 means that is it 950/1000 or 95% platinum. Jewelry can contain different percentages of pure platinum. This article was co-authored by Edward Lewand. 350Pall. My St. Christopher medal has stamped silver on the back. Platinum is a rare precious metal primarily used to create fine jewelry. Approved. Platinum holds fine gemstones firmly in place for the life of the jewelry when used for prongs and other setting components. The word platinum … ", "Clear and concise instructions to help identify sliver and platinum jewelry. Hallmarks are distinguishing characteristics that are stamped on gold, silver and platinum items - typically to identify the items purity. 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. Platinum … Purity is the game. 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. Most tests have acids specifically for silver. The .925 stamp is reserved for sterling silver, and refers to the silver content, at 925/1000 or 92.5 percent silver. ", "Helped to identified the real silver and platinum.". What is platinum? If the stamp reads "999", "S925," "925S", "Pure Silver", or "Sterling Silver", then your medal is made of genuine silver. ", 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. Since about 1900, platinum came into use in a major way in the making and manufacturing of jewelry. 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. Platinum content is usually expressed as the amount of pure platinum the jewelry contains in parts per thousand. "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? Edward Lewand is a Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. But before you pay your good money for a piece of jewelry, here is … Platinum does not wear away and holds precious stones firmly and securely. It is usually stamped or inscribed on the piece. Platinum jewelry is the perfect choice for a lifetime of everyday wear. Platinum/cobalt alloys will usually be stamped as PLAT, Pt950, or possibly Pt950/Co. ", "Well written and interesting to a confused reader. Here to help you navigate your platinum jewelry purchase with education and insights into the latest styles from leading experts. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The DR probably refers to the maker of the jewelry. Platinum is a precious heavy metal. However, you can also use an 18-karat gold testing acid to identify pure or sterling silver. If your jewelry doesn't have any markings at all it's probably not a precious metal. Identify this type of jewelry by any of these other marks: “Plat 950,” “Pt950,” … Platinum is a heavy, precious metal, gray-white in color and noncorrosive. or "550Plat. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. However, with a little practice, you'll be able to tell the difference in no time! Is a marking PLAT 950 silver or platinum? If the kit doesn't include gloves, buy some separately. Also, you must include the alloy present in the mix if the piece contains less than 85% pure platinum. The most common alloy used to harden sterling silver is copper, which is not magnetic. A quality mark contains information about metal content that appears on an article. 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. When an item is stamped “925 Platinum,” it means that it is made of 92.5% platinum. Instead, it is measured by its purity percentage. There are also hallmarks that can identify where the item was … ", "Great information at no cost. Both industry experts and jewelry retailers are slowly … The rest is an alloy, which is mixed with the platinum. 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". If a ring is stamped 925, is it platinum? Platinum's natural white luster provides a rich backdrop for diamonds and can even make diamonds appear whiter than they really are. This is important because silver-plated and sterling silver items look virtually identical to the untrained eye. I thought it was white gold and your, "All the steps helped me especially how to identify between platinum and silver by the letter markings. If you're still unsure about the authenticity of your jewelry, see a reputable jeweler. Platinum vs Silver Value. Great article! For example, a stamp that says “S925” indicates that the jewelry is sterling silver. The greater the percentage of platinum in your jewelry, the more value the … Many jewelry marks represent the metal content of the piece. 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. Platinum derives its name from the Spanish word “platina,” meaning “little silver.” Thank you for the easiest, safest test. Anything less should not be considered either pure or hypoallergenic or of substantive quality. 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. To the untrained eye, platinum, silver, and sterling silver may appear very similar at first glance. Each piece is stamped to mark its metal content, and you can also use the … If it’s stamped with the letters PLAT, PT, or the word Platinum, it is platinum jewelry. The metal was first discovered in 1557. When you select platinum jewelry, you’re buying a product that consists of a metal that’s almost entirely pure – 90-95%. or 600 Plat. Education and information about platinum is good business. Its heavy weight and durability make platinum a metal that will not wear away with constant use like gold. The metal also looks stunning when combined with contrasting touches of 18K yellow gold. If you get any acid on your hands you will burn your skin. ", "The article contained knowledge for future reference. The acid may damage any smaller workings in the jewelry. Determining the Alloy Metal Quality Find out what metal the platinum is mixed with. In the 1700's platinum was discovered in South America. Using an Acid Scratch Testing Kit Use an acid testing kit on hard-to-verify jewelry. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Because it is both dense and malleable, it is ideal in jewelry production. If it dissolves, it's not. 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. "529" probably refers to a maker or manufacturer. 350 Ir." Acid can burn your skin and is fatal if ingested. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Buy a kit that can test for both silver and platinum. Jewelry can be made from a variety of metals, including gold, silver, and platinum. in 1979, New York and now specializes in Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry, consultations and expert witness work. This number doesn't match any common numbers that indicate the purity of the metal. Its density and weight make it a durable jewelry metal. Lay a towel down underneath the stone to protect your work surface from scratches. If the line stays, it's platinum. 50Irid." 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. He completed his residency in graduate gemology at the G.I.A. She has a special interest in vintage jewelry. If for instance, jewelry contains 50% platinum and 50% gold, that piece can not contain a hallmark indicating the piece contains platinum. Choose an inconspicuous part of the jewelry to rub against the stone. Acceptable alloys that are used with platinum are grouped together. For instance, "600 Pt. So to verify I was doing it the right way, I tried a couple of my rings and the silver ones bubbled almost immediately. The acronym PTL refers to a kind of sheet metal and is not a precious metal. test, and unfortunately, no bubbles. There's no question that there are many advantages to choosing platinum over white gold. Platinum is the now-most-sought-after metal especially for engagement and wedding jewellery, particularly for rings. Determine what … Wear gloves to protect your hands and work over a towel to protect your workspace. for 600 parts pure platinum and 350 parts iridium, "550Pt. If you can't find … If you doubt your results, test the jewelry again to be sure. I used the peroxide, "Great answers. By using our site, you agree to our. Platinum is one of the heaviest metals used to make estate jewelry. How about PTL on a fancy antique little baby picture holder? % of people told us that this article helped them. There is considerable confusion about the meaning of quality marks that are seen on jewelry … 50Ir." Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Also, platinum isn't really white—it's actually a gray color. The stone will scratch and damage a small section of the jewelry. This article has been viewed 612,667 times. References … Pure silver jewelry is rare as pure silver is soft and easily damaged. I have a silver bracelet with marks "Italy" and "925". Hydrogen peroxide can be found at most grocery stores. The major platinum jewelry … Product knowledge is vital. Understanding the metal content of your piece can help you make sure you get the quality for which you're paying. Last Updated: February 5, 2020 Instead, it probably refers to the brand or manufacturer. If it turns a bluish green color, it's copper or another lesser metal. 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. 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. Hydrogen peroxide won't corrode or damage your jewelry. This ushered in the Edwardian era, known for its exceptionally fine yet durable lace-like platinum work. As you have read above, the "950" designation doesn't really mean … 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. As platinum jewelry continues to gain market share, nearly every jeweler will have contact with this most precious metal. The easiest way to determine the metal used in your jewelry is by examining the hallmarks or markings. The platinum group of metals (PGM) are platinum, iridium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium and osmium. If you want to identify whether a piece of jewelry is platinum or silver, first examine the jewelry for any etchings in the metal. Platinum is much denser than silver, so it will have more heft to it. Jewelry that contains at least 950 parts per thousand of pure platinum may be marked or described as "Platinum". 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 … Purity is the percentage of pure platinum that is in your jewelry or item. She contributed to The Spruce for over 11 years. Platinum is one of the most popular metals of choice for ring settings, because the strength and color of platinum … All modern platinum jewelry requires stamps indicating metal content. {"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":"