Identify and Characterize Platinum Alloys

Quality Assurance Benchmarks highlight workmanship of semi-finished and finished jewelry. Learn how to identify and characterize platinum alloys.

Front view of platinum “J” hoop earrings designed by Erik Stewart, featuring a variety of small, bezel-set colored stones and circles of different sizes that use negative space as a design motif.

Side view of platinum band designed by Michael Bondanza, featuring diamonds channel-set into a curved top.

Perspective view of a princess cut solitaire with diamonds set in the shank. The hallmark for 90% Platinum Iridium, 900 Pt Ir, is visible in the lower inside of the shank.

Perspective view of a platinum band with diamonds. The hallmark for 95% Platinum Cobalt, 950 Pt Co, is visible in the lower inside of the shank.

Perspective view of round solitaire with diamonds set in the split shank. The hallmark for 95% Platinum Ruthenium, 950 Pt Ru, is visible in the lower inside of the shank.

Different alloy combinations have their own unique working properties and characteristics, and are best suited to specific manufacturing methods

Identification of Specific Platinum Alloys

When altering platinum jewelry, it is important to work with like platinum alloys that match the original piece.

Perspective view of platinum ring designed by Sylvie, featuring a flower-shaped diamond halo surrounding a large center diamond, and diamonds set halfway down the shank.

Many jewelers do not know the differences between platinum ruthenium and platinum cobalt when sizing rings, and use the wrong platinum materials such as laser wire or solder when sizing rings. This can result in the attempted work failing due to compatibility differences.

Featured Quality Assurance Benchmarks

Best Practices for Wearing Platinum Rings with Gemstones Set in the Shank

Recommending Platinum Rings

Recommending Platinum Rings Based on Customer Lifestyle

Evaluate the quality of platinum jewelry that has been worn and then refinished.

Refinish Worn Platinum Jewelry

Techniques for refinishing worn platinum jewelry

Learn how to evaluate the quality of a platinum ring that has been prefinished, polished, and buffed.

Prefinish and Finish Platinum

Evaluate a prefinished, polished, and buffed platinum ring

Quality of Platinum Jewelry that was Furbished by Burnishing

Refinish Worn Platinum Jewelry

Burnishing: Evaluate the Quality of Platinum Jewelry that was Furbished by Burnishing