To polish a platinum ring at home, first clean it with mild soap and warm water using a soft brush, rinse well, and dry with a lint-free cloth; for scratches, use progressively finer abrasive papers or cloths and specialized compounds with a polishing motor or by hand, but for a true mirror finish or deep scratches, a professional jeweler with proper tools is best, as platinum is very hard and requires specific techniques. Always clean thoroughly between abrasive steps and use gentle, consistent pressure, avoiding stone settings.
Using a soft, fine-grained brush, gently brush between the back and crevices of the jewellery to remove any dirt or residue. Rinse your gold or platinum jewellery, then gently dry and polish with a Tiffany polishing cloth.
Gold and platinum are soft- both can be repolished to remove most scratches.
Jewelry Cleaning and Polishing Services
Polishing Services: Removing shallow scratches and restoring a mirror finish costs around $80 for most gold, silver, or platinum pieces. Prices can vary based on metal type and scratch depth, with premium polishing reaching $100 or more for larger items.
But why do jewelers not like platinum? The answer lies in its unique properties that make it both a prized and challenging material to work with. Platinum is significantly denser than gold, making it heavier and more difficult to shape. This density also causes tools to wear down faster, increasing costs for jewelers.
Platinum does not lose its shine permanently. What happens is the development of patina, a soft, satiny layer that appears on the surface after months or years of wear. This is not dullness but a refined texture created by the displacement of metal over time.
Platinum is generally valued higher than gold. This is because platinum is rarer than gold, has a higher density and is purer. Platinum rings require more platinum than gold rings require gold, which can increase the overall cost.
The "3-month ring rule" is an outdated marketing guideline suggesting spending the equivalent of three months' salary on an engagement ring, a concept created by De Beers to boost diamond sales, evolving from earlier one and two-month suggestions. Today, it's widely seen as a myth, with most couples prioritizing personal financial comfort, open communication, and meaningful choices over this arbitrary rule.
Free Jewellery Cleaning
We offer a complimentary cleaning service so that your jewellery looks as bright and exquisite as the day you bought it. Please ask a member of staff at your local Ernest Jones store for details.
Platinum jewelry does not fade or tarnish and keeps its looks for a lifetime. Platinum's purity makes it hypoallergenic and ideal for those with sensitive skin.
Yes! White vinegar is great for cleaning gold, platinum and gemstones. Drop your jewellery into a glass of vinegar for 20 minutes, agitating occasionally, before rinsing with water and air drying on a towel.
Caring for your platinum ring
Remove your platinum ring when doing manual work. Don't handle bleach or harsh chemicals when wearing your platinum wedding ring. Although they won't hurt the platinum, chemicals may discolour some of the softer gemstones.
Its dense, durable nature means it doesn't easily react with most chemicals. However, platinum is not completely impervious to damage. Chlorine, in particular, can affect platinum, albeit less severely than sterling silver or gold. Repeated exposure to chlorine can cause platinum to develop a dull appearance over time.
For platinum polishing, stitched and treated buffs are most effective. Unstitched buffs are too soft and will round all edges. Their softness cannot create necessary pressure and friction at the contact point, so polishing will take longer.
Precautions When Cleaning Platinum Jewelry
Never use abrasive materials like baking soda or toothpaste, which can scratch the metal.
Jewelers report budgets anywhere from $3,000 to $25,000+. But plenty of beautiful rings exist in the $1,000-$4,000 range. Diamond alternatives make your money go further. A one-carat natural diamond averages $6,000, while a larger 2.5-carat lab-grown diamond engagement ring costs about $4,750.
One of the things I shared was my “3-Rings” rule. It goes like this: When your phone rings, and it's a potential client who's calling you, the first three rings are on the house. BUT — if someone doesn't pick it up by the end of the third one, each additional ring costs your firm $1,000.
The only disadvantages to platinum are the higher cost and heavier weight. For example, platinum is a great metal for necklaces, bracelets and rings but not earrings, because the heavy weight may pull down more on your ears and cause discomfort.
But it can still be reused. For example, a platinum wedding band can be transformed into a stunning pendant with the help of a jeweler. If you're holding on to an engagement or wedding ring from a past relationship, you can use it to create a new piece that holds meaning for you.
Resale Price - The Numbers. The table shows that gold consistently fetches a higher share of its spot price. Platinum lags behind because its market is less liquid and the resale network is smaller.
PLATINUM. 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.
The practice of hallmarking platinum was introduced in 1975, following the establishment of The Hallmarking Act of 1973. Before the act, platinum items were marked with either "Pt" or "Plat". While older pieces might indicate the use of iridium with "PLAT/IRID" or gold with markings like "18/Pt".