The Purity of Platinum Chains
The benchmark has been set by platinum chains for their premium quality and strength in the jewelry niche. While metals like white gold use rhodium plating to maintain their shine, and even sterling silver can easily get tarnished and oxidized, platinum jewelry stays sunning on its own – no fuss of frequent maintenance. This jewelry really is timeless, as it not only looks as beautiful as it did at first through the span of time but also makes for an investment worth your hard-earned money.
Another factor that makes it even more demanding among customers is its hypoallergenic properties. But because of its high value and similarity to white metals such as white gold and silver, it’s easy to wonder if what you're getting is genuine. Worry not, as we've got you covered with this piece, which contains essential advice for choosing a genuine platinum chain.
How to Authenticate the Purity of Platinum Chains
Begin with Platinum Jewelry Hallmarks.
The easiest way to authenticate a platinum chain is to look for hallmarks. These little, stamped symbols on jewelry show the metal content and are commonly found on the clasp or a small tag beside it. Platinum is commonly identified by the symbols "950," "Pt950," "PLAT," or "950Pt," which indicate that the metal contains 95% platinum and 5% other balancing alloys. This is the most popular purity hallmark used in jewelry. Occasionally, you may encounter "900" or "850", which are less pure than real platinum.
Weigh the Platinum Chains for Authenticity
The value of metals is determined by their weight, with the most valuable metals being heavy. Platinum takes the win here as one of the heaviest metals used in jewelry. Because there are many other similar metals, such as silver and white gold, a precise weighing scale lets you determine the weight of these metals accurately. Note that a platinum rope chain, for example, will feel much heavier. Even though you can't always make the right decisions via this, it’s still a better indicator for identifying a genuine platinum chain than other methods.
Professional Jewelry Appraisal
Not sure if your platinum chains such as platinum curb chains is authentic? Get a professional and have him inspect it. These experts have the skills and necessary equipment that allow them to test out the metal content of your jewelry. This is crucial if you're investing in an expensive product.
Magnetic Testing
Platinum is not magnetic, thus using a strong magnet can quickly detect if the chain contains ferrous iron elements commonly found in counterfeit products. Simply bring a magnet near the chain; if it attracts, the material is not pure platinum. This can be useful but is not conclusive because non-ferrous metals such as aluminum are non-magnetic yet extremely less valuable.
Check the platinum chain for wear and tear
Check the necklace for signs of wear. Platinum is extremely robust and resistant to wear and tarnishing. If the item has severe wear or tarnishing around the joints or clasps, it could be another metal coated with a thin layer of platinum. Authentic platinum chains, such as platinum box chains, should retain their integrity and shine for years.
Using Acid Testing Kits
While not always totally accurate, an acid testing kit could be useful for a more hands-on approach. These kits include a solution that reacts with various metals to determine their purity. When a drop of the testing solution is placed to a minor scratch on the chain (ideally in an inconspicuous location), the color shift indicates whether it is real platinum. This procedure should be used as a last resort because it results in slight harm to the object. A professional assayer can provide more accurate test findings.
Understanding Platinum Alloys
Be mindful that platinum can be alloyed with other metals, which can reduce its purity. The most common jewelry alloys consist of 95% platinum and 5% iridium or ruthenium. Each alloy has particular qualities. Knowing these can assist you in understanding what to look for in terms of authentication and what each stamp indicates about the quality of your chain. Apples of Gold Jewelry does not advocate platinum that is not 950 or 95% pure. Anything less is unacceptable in our expert opinion.
Authentic Platinum Jewelry
The amount of fake sellers on the market is unbelievable. They sell artificial jewelry of all types including platinum chains claiming it is authentic. Being knowledgeable about different jewelry specifically platinum is crucial because it is very easy to replicate. Even the slightest impurity can bring down its value. Even in renowned jewelry stores, there is always that chance of impurity. Thus, using the tips in this you can easily distinguish between fake and authentic platinum chains.
Platinum chains are the most highly demanded chains on the market. Known for being robust, elegant, and extremely versatile, their price can be high because you are getting purity, rarity and value for your money.