Platinum Jewelry Care and Cleaning

Platinum Jewelry
Care and Cleaning

Platinum is in the family of elements called the “Noble Metals”. Nickel and palladium are also in this family and are often used to make white gold white. Metals are considered noble if they are resistant to chemical reaction. Platinum is one of the most noble elements on the face of the earth. That is why it is the preferred metal by those who suffer allergic reactions to other metals. It is particularly resistant to oxidation (tarnish), so if you wear platinum you do not have to worry about getting it into bleach or other household chemicals. Platinum is very dense with a six-inch cube weighing as much as an adult man (161 pounds). It is also highly malleable and ductile. These characteristics make platinum vulnerable to bending and denting, but very resistant to wear. I mention this because platinum is a great metal for some designs, but it can turn into nothing but problems for others. Some designs that can be done effectively in gold become a disaster in platinum. As you might expect, the reverse can also be true. Unlike most white gold alloys, platinum holds its color very well, but it will be near impossible to maintain the kind of polish you are accustomed to seeing on gold. We have decades of experience designing jewelry in all of the various precious metals and we will gladly help you decide which metal will work best for you.

Back to Jewelry Care

Platinum jewelry can be cleaned in the same manner as other fine jewelry.
We recommend that you have your prongs checked and a professional cleaning every six months. This service is complimentary at Gannaway Bros. Jewelers.
Platinum jewelry will become scratched or dented with normal wear. We will buff it when you bring it in to be cleaned and checked, but we cannot restore the polish it had when you purchased it without charge. To bring platinum to a full polish is very time consuming process.
Platinum prongs are very resistant to wear, but they are more susceptible to bending. The taller the prongs, the more likely they are to bend with normal daily wear. If your ring has tall prongs such as a tiffany style crown, keep a close eye on them. Should you see a prong beginning to bend, bring it in immediately so we can correct the problem. There is usually no charge for this service..
Do not allow anyone to work on your platinum ring unless they are experienced in working with platinum! Platinum has totally different properties than gold or silver. The use of gold solder on your platinum ring can ruin it. If you get an unrealistically low price to repair you platinum jewelry, beware! Inferior craftsmanship on your platinum jewelry can result in irreversible damage.