Platinum Patina - Pictures and type

[jmiranda]

Hi Everyone,

I just purchased a loose diamond from whiteflash and am now having a ring custom made through a local jeweler in toronto, Canada. I have looked for pictures of platinum patina but information on whether it was 900/950 or what alloys were used were not mentioned along with the pics. I was wondering if anyone would be able to post pictures of the patina and also tell me what kind of alloys were used so i can make up my mind on what to choose. This is definately the second hardest decision for me after the diamond itself as it is just as confusing considering the hardness of the metal when mixed with different alloys.

On a side note, the ring i am having made has an intricate design similar to filigree but I believe it will be cast as it it thicker. Any opinions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Jonathan

 

[Maisie]

There are some pictures in this thread but I don''t know if it tells you about the different alloys...

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/patina-on-platinum-anyone-have-a-picture.24414/

 

[jmiranda]

I have seen that thread before and it has no mention of the alloys used in the rings shown. Could there be a difference in the look based on the alloys seeing as some may be harder that others hense bruising could be seen less/more.

 

[stone-cold11]

I don''t think you can or should make any judgement from pictures of patina development in different alloys as different people wear their rings differently and different designs will have an impact on how will it holds up to developing patina. It is not a controlled experiment.

 

[Rhea]

Feel free to correct me, but I don''t think the difference would be that great, even if you wore different platinum alloys next to each other.

 

[tyty333]

This probably wont help much because I dont know what alloy was used to go with the plat...but anyways..
my ering is 10 years old and my wedding band (5 stone) is brand new. The only difference I see between
them is that the old one is a little more scratched up (duller due to that). I'm not really sure what the
"patina" on platinum is suspose to look like? Is it just the dullness due to being scratched up?

 

[Imdanny]

Date: 4/27/2009 1:54:39 PM
Author:jmiranda
Hi Everyone,


I just purchased a loose diamond from whiteflash and am now having a ring custom made through a local jeweler in toronto, Canada. I have looked for pictures of platinum patina but information on whether it was 900/950 or what alloys were used were not mentioned along with the pics. I was wondering if anyone would be able to post pictures of the patina and also tell me what kind of alloys were used so i can make up my mind on what to choose. This is definately the second hardest decision for me after the diamond itself as it is just as confusing considering the hardness of the metal when mixed with different alloys.


On a side note, the ring i am having made has an intricate design similar to filigree but I believe it will be cast as it it thicker. Any opinions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Jonathan

Your jeweler (the one who's going to make this piece if you decide to use them) should be able to tell you which alloy they use, can use, work with, etc. and advise you. If they're giving you specific choices, it's probably a good idea to post them. Then maybe someone here can advise you about it.

 

[jmiranda]

My jeweler told me that he will most likely use 950 with irridium. I guess that''s the most commonly used alloy as it it brighter and slightly easier to work with than the others. He said he could use 900 as well. Is it easy to polish platinum if it has lots of little spaces to get into?

 

[Rhea]

My platinum band is filigree. I''ve never tried to have it polished, I like the dull colour of it. I think it''d be hard to polish all the little bit though. You could always ask the jeweller, they''ll know what you can expect of a polish.

 

[jmiranda]

I have come across a lot of articles regarding the Platinum S1 mix saying that it is the hardest and will maintain the shine the longest. I definately want this but have a few questions. Is this mix readily available to any jeweler as the contents of the mix are not stated anywhere. Also is 900 or 950 used with this.

 

[musey]

Date: 4/27/2009 4:34:23 PM
Author: jmiranda
My jeweler told me that he will most likely use 950 with irridium. I guess that''s the most commonly used alloy as it it brighter and slightly easier to work with than the others. He said he could use 900 as well. Is it easy to polish platinum if it has lots of little spaces to get into?

900 is preferable for scratch-resistance (as well as 950 Plat/Ruthenium).

Generally speaking, they would just polish the surface, as that is where the the scratches would occur (as opposed to inside the little spaces).

 

[jmiranda]

So i did quite a bit of research but still cant come up with a conclusion. Is ''900 with iridium'' or ''950 with ruthenium'' a better choice. I have both these options available to me.

 

[btrflygrl23]

Not sure how much help I can be my e-ring is plat in whatever alloy mix that WF uses since they made it. I''ve had it for just over a year wear it everywhere just not around my house and honestly I guess it does depend on the person wearing it and how they wear it I mean their lifestyle etc b/c my ring has zero patina it is still super shiny and white just like when WF first sent it to me. Some my friends even double checked with me that my ring really is plat b/c it is so nice and shiny with no patina b/c they think that plat patinas really fast and that the ring would have taken a really gray tone by now and mine has not so I think yeah it depends on the person and the level/frequency and pattern of how they wear it??? Hope that helps a bit...

 

[jmiranda]

Date: 5/15/2009 1:55:04 PM
Author: btrflygrl23
Not sure how much help I can be my e-ring is plat in whatever alloy mix that WF uses since they made it. I''ve had it for just over a year wear it everywhere just not around my house and honestly I guess it does depend on the person wearing it and how they wear it I mean their lifestyle etc b/c my ring has zero patina it is still super shiny and white just like when WF first sent it to me. Some my friends even double checked with me that my ring really is plat b/c it is so nice and shiny with no patina b/c they think that plat patinas really fast and that the ring would have taken a really gray tone by now and mine has not so I think yeah it depends on the person and the level/frequency and pattern of how they wear it??? Hope that helps a bit...

Thanks for you''re response. I understand that it does depend on how the ring is worn, but as a preventative measure, which one would stand up to the wear better and still maintain the finish longer is what i am asking. Is the ''950 with ruthenium'' very similar to ''900 with irridium'' and if not what are the real differences?

 

[musey]

Jmiranda, I'm not sure what additional information can be provided other than what has already been given to you.

Of the three options mentioned:
950 Plat/Ir will be the least scratch-resistant
900 Plat/Ir and 950 Plat/Ru will be close enough that you would likely never, ever, EVER notice a difference yourself.

There is also a color difference between 900 Plat/Ir and 950 Plat/Ru, but even that is negligible.

No matter which alloy you choose, you are going to have to have your ring polished to maintain a scratch-free appearance. If you HATE the look of scratches and will be really bothered by them, you'll have to get it polished very very often - as in, every month or so. I have a platinum band from Tiffany (950 Plat/Ru) that I've only worn for a couple of weeks that already has scuffs. They're not noticeable to me, but to someone who is anal about scratches, they would be.

My engagement ring, on the other hand, is 950 Plat/Ir. It does scratch/scuff faster, but I actually prefer it - the patina grows more evenly somehow, where the 950 Plat/Ru is more like scratches that will eventually grow together. Not sure if that makes sense.

You're overanalyzing this choice

 

[musey]

Though I have to admit, it would be an interesting experiment - to have someone wear three 2mm bands, one each of 950 Plat/Ir 950 Plat/Ru and 900 Plat/Ir, 24/7 stacked for say 3-4 months and then take pictures.

I volunteer my hand for whatever jeweler would like to provide said bands for the experiment

 

[jmiranda]

Date: 5/15/2009 2:35:51 PM
Author: musey
Jmiranda, I''m not sure what additional information can be provided other than what has already been given to you.

Of the three options mentioned:
950 Plat/Ir will be the least scratch-resistant
900 Plat/Ir and 950 Plat/Ru will be close enough that you would likely never, ever, EVER notice a difference yourself.

There is also a color difference between 900 Plat/Ir and 950 Plat/Ru, but even that is negligible.

No matter which alloy you choose, you are going to have to have your ring polished to maintain a scratch-free appearance. If you HATE the look of scratches and will be really bothered by them, you''ll have to get it polished very very often - as in, every month or so. I have a platinum band from Tiffany (950 Plat/Ru) that I''ve only worn for a couple of weeks that already has scuffs. They''re not noticeable to me, but to someone who is anal about scratches, they would be.

My engagement ring, on the other hand, is 950 Plat/Ir. It does scratch/scuff faster, but I actually prefer it - the patina grows more evenly somehow, where the 950 Plat/Ru is more like scratches that will eventually grow together. Not sure if that makes sense.

You''re overanalyzing this choice

Thanks for you''re response. I think i am over ''anal''izing this.haha. I just want this ring to be perfect as i am a first time buyer and i dont want myself or my girlfriend to be dissapointed later. Thanks again though. That about sums everything up.

 

[aggie012]

mine ring is 900plat and 100iridium, the top of my ring and the prongs look great after 6 months, but the bottom of my ring is a bit scratched and shows patina...i do hike and lift weights with my ring, but the good thing about platinum is that you don''t lose any weight on it and you can just get it re-shaped and polished and it should look like new.

 

[CharmyPoo]

What alloy compound causes the greyish look?