The downside of Platinum is that it tends to lose its high polish and sharp edges fairly quickly. This is not because they are being worn away but, more accurately, they are being moulded like clay around the surface of the ring.
Platinum is unaffected by air and water, but will dissolve in hot aqua regia, in hot concentrated phosphoric and sulphuric acids, and in molten alkali. It is as resistant as gold to corrosion and tarnishing.
* Platinum may cause a skin allergy. If allergy develops, very low future exposure can cause itching and a skin rash. * Platinum may cause an asthma-like allergy. Future exposure can cause asthma attacks with shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and/or chest tightness.
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.
On the downside, platinum is very expensive to purchase and repair, and some jewelers cannot even work with the metal because they don't have the equipment, materials, or experience to deal with its unique chemical properties.
Precious metals like gold are just one option available to you. But all investments come with their risks. Platinum carries greater volatility than other choices, making it more susceptible to price drops. Meanwhile, gold is relatively stable, but it may not be a strong hedge against inflation over the short term.
Platinum lasts longer and can require less upkeep than gold. It's pure, hypoallergenic, and a classic option. However, gold is more malleable, scratch-resistant, and affordable. Gold also comes in several color options whereas platinum is always silver-white colored.
Platinum, gold & silver
Known as the precious metals, platinum, gold and silver are all pure metals, therefore they contain no iron and cannot rust. Platinum and gold are highly non-reactive, and although silver can tarnish, it is fairly corrosion-resistant and relatively affordable by comparison.
HARDER, BETTER, RARER, STRONGER
For starters, gold is far more abundant in the earth's crust, making platinum rarer. Whilst 1,500 tons of gold are mined annually, only 160 tons of platinum are extracted.
Platinum is extremely durable and strong making it ideal for jewellery that's worn on a daily basis. It's highly resistant to stress and withstands both extreme heat and extreme cold, which means platinum jewellery will retain its good looks better than any other metal.
Can you wear platinum in the shower? A similar scenario to gold, you should refrain from wearing your platinum jewelry in the shower as it will reduce its shine and luster. Water itself will not harm the platinum, but it well affect the overall look of it down the road.
Platinum jewelry is the perfect choice for a lifetime of everyday wear. Its density and weight make it a durable jewelry metal. Platinum does not wear away and holds precious stones firmly and securely.
The gold quality is determined by the amount of pure gold in the piece. While white gold may seem like a cheaper option for the same look, it is actually a less strong metal than platinum. Platinum will scratch easier as it is a movable metal, but Platinum is stronger against breakage.
Platinum is very durable. When scratched, the scratch actually displaces the metal, leaving ridges on the edges of the scratch. This is where durability comes in. Whereas other precious metals, if scratched, lose metal, and thus wear down, Platinum does so at a much slower rate.
Platinum Tends to Have a Poor Resale Value
According to The Economic Times, platinum, in general, has a poor resale value. The main reason is because a relatively small number of people are willing to buy it.
Experts posit that platinum is about 15–20 times scarcer than gold and approximately 60–100 times scarcer than silver, on the basis of annual mine production. Since 2014, platinum prices have fallen lower than gold. Approximately 75% of global platinum is mined in South Africa.
Pure platinum is a lustrous, ductile, and malleable, silver-white metal. Platinum is more ductile than gold, silver or copper, thus being the most ductile of pure metals, but it is less malleable than gold. Its physical characteristics and chemical stability make it useful for industrial applications.
It is the most durable metal used to make jewellery. Platinum should last a lifetime and you should not have to reset your platinum engagement ring. Platinum is a naturally white metal that is highly resistant to tarnish.
Platinum does not fade, tarnish, or turn color. However, with age, it does take on a patina and show slight scratches.
To be considered platinum, a piece must contain 95% or more of the metal, making it one of the purest precious metals you can buy. Over time, platinum will fade in a different way. It won't turn yellow, like yellow gold; but, it will begin to lose its shiny finish and build a natural patina (more on this in a bit).
The simplest tests are heating and discoloration. If the item is heated, for example, in a Bunsen flame, platinum will be more difficult or impossible to melt and the platinum will not discolour. The effect of acid is another basic test. None of the common acids will attack Pt.
Very selective jewellers are selling platinum in India, hence the buy back policy is not as flexible as in the case of gold. You can exchange it for jewellery only from the same store/brand you originally purchased from. And you will get back only 85% of the value of platinum.
RHODIUM: TOP MOST VALUABLE METAL
Rhodium is the most valuable metal and exists within the platinum group of metals.