Rhodium is a precious metal belonging to the platinum family and used for the rhodium-plating. The rhodium-plating is the protecting coat giving the wedding ring the look we are used to. The wedding ring turns yellow because of the use consuming the rhodium coat, letting the natural colour of gold emerge.
If your platinum ring is turning yellow, it may actually be white gold plated with rhodium and sold as platinum at a higher price. Platinum will never turn yellow – or discolor - even if it contains other metals.
No, platinum cannot turn gold.
While white gold looks very similar to platinum, over time the the rhodium plating in white gold will wear off and fade to a yellowish tinge. Once you re-polish and re-plate the white gold ring, it will look white again. Platinum, which is naturally white, will not fade to yellow.
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).
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.
The cheapest and easiest way to clean platinum rings is by soaking them in a sudsy solution of warm water and a mild washing up liquid for around 30 minutes. This will lift any built-up grime and debris from your rings, effortlessly restoring their lustre.
Platinum is a very rare and expensive metal. Therefore, all platinum jewelry will be marked to show authenticity. Look for the words “Platinum," “PLAT," or “PT” followed or preceded by the numbers “950” or “999." These numbers refer to the purity of the platinum, with “999” as the most pure.
Platinum is exclusively white, and most people associate gold with yellow. However, gold comes in many shades with white gold being the closest to platinum in appearance. White gold contains alloys of durable metals like nickel, zinc, and copper with a rhodium plating.
Platinum will not change color or fade over time, unlike some other metals. It's naturally white and remains that way.
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.
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.
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.
The short answer is no. Toothpaste is not a good option for cleaning your ring. Toothpaste contains scrubbing particles to polish your teeth, but these particles are often harder than the metals in your ring, especially gold or white gold. Using toothpaste on your jewelry could cause scratches or pitting in the metal.
Platinum is another fairly safe metal. It doesn't react at all with the chemicals in hand sanitizer, although it's still best to avoid it and keep up with regular cleaning to avoid any residue that will dull the shine. White gold, on the other hand, is more likely to be damaged by hand sanitizer.
Platinum Color
Platinum is naturally white and will not fade or change color. However, platinum jewelry will naturally acquire a patina - a special sheen - from daily wear. Some people prefer the patina look, but others prefer to have their platinum jewelry professionally repolished from time to time.
Platinum patina is the change in finish and texture that develops on platinum as a result of regular wear. It's often described as a satiny or slightly frosted finish, although it can vary in color and appearance. Overall, it's a slight loss of luster.
Price. Platinum: Despite being nearly identical in appearance, platinum is more valuable than gold. Platinum's high price point can be attributed to its rarity and density as precious metals are often priced by their weight.
Are platinum rings worth anything? Yes, platinum rings are, at a minimum, worth their weight in platinum.
Aqua regia will attack most other metals and alloys almost instantaneously. A reputable jeweller should be able to test for platinum using acid. If these two tests are not feasible then find the density of the object. This will identify Pt from silver-coloured base metals.
Pour half a cup of white vinegar to into the pan. The vinegar will activate the base solution and cause the it to begin bubbling. Leave the platinum in the bubbling solution for five to ten minutes. Rinse and dry your platinum.
Over time, platinum pieces, like platinum rings and platinum earrings, develop a natural patina, a slight loss in luster that can give your jewelry piece a satiny or slightly frosted finish. Some people prefer this more vintage look and decide to polish their platinum jewelry less to keep the patina.
It's best to clean your jewelry regularly, so pick one day out of the week to do this simple but-oh-so important task. Take the time to visit your jeweler once a year (scheduling a date close to your birthday makes it easy to remember) to bring back that “just purchased” glow.