Pure platinum??

[cygnet]

I went into a local jewelry store yesterday to try on some rings and double-check my size, and the saleswoman there asked me some ring questions, so I told her about the engagement ring design I want. She instantly offered to have the store custom make it. I wouldn't have chosen them to do my ring anyway, but it's polite to listen, so I listened. She told me that they would do it in platinum and I asked whether it would be mixed with ruthenium or iridium or cobalt and she said "none. we only work in pure platinum."

I consider myself moderately well educated on jewelry things, but I'm a little confused by that answer. I thought jewelers didn't use PURE platinum. Am I wrong? Or does she just not know what she's talking about??

In other news, all the estimates are in for our custom setting, and we'll be picking someone to make it in January! Yay!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Just so you know, the average PS member knows more than the average worker behind the jewelry counter. Many of us have experienced this. One time I asked to see bead-set wedding bands with milgrain and the sales person had no clue what I was talking about!

This possibly is a red flag not to have something custom made there.

 

[distracts]

She doesn't know what she's talking about.

 

[cygnet]

Phew. I'm glad it wasn't just me. I was pretty sure I wasn't totally clueless about this stuff. At this point it's likely that I know more about this stuff than many jewelry counter people, but I'm a total newb compared to most of you PS veterans.

And yep, don't worry, I won't be having them make it. They only sell NAGL certified stones in their store, and even in crazy jewelry store lighting, their NAGL "G" and "H"s looked like "M"s. I was really kind of shocked, I had previously thought it was a pretty high-end store, but upon closer inspection, I didn't see a single diamond I liked (well, not that I need another anyway )

 

[Gypsy]

Most common alloys are 950 (95%). There is also Platinum 900. (90%).

The only line I know that uses more than 95% is Memoire. One of their lines uses 99.9% http://memoire.com/index.aspx?par=metal_platinum

It's UNLIKELY that your local place uses 100% but maybe they use the 99.9% (again unlikely), so if you were still curious I would ask to speak to their bench person if you really want to know details. Sales people in general are bad sources of information. And I would just ask: What alloy do you use for your Platinum custom work.

 

[cygnet]

Well, my interest was piqued, but I probably won't ask simply because I wouldn't actually consider them to do my setting so I shouldn't waste their time.

I'm leaning towards having the setting done with Pt950/Ru.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Good choice!