Excel Diamonds
 

Diamond Jewelry Forums   Picture Gallery   Video Gallery   Journal

   
 Search Posted Today Most Active Help   
 » Home »  » Diamond Prices and Grading »  » RockyTalky »  » Watering down Platinum


  

 Watering down Platinum

P:  5/25/2006 3:02:25 PM  
DiaLil
DiaLil

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 41
Last Post: 9/1/2009
Member Since: 4/24/2006
 
Yes, here we go again about Fred Cuellar.  I just read on his site that the jewelry industry is watering down platinum?

As anyone heard of this?

Cheers,

 


DiaLil
Love them diamonds
Posted:  5/25/2006 3:02:25 PM

 There are 5 replies to this message.  There are 5 replies on this page.

P: 5/25/2006 3:10:44 PM
Mara
Mara

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 27,891
Last Post: 11/20/2009
Member Since: 10/30/2002
 
It's not uncommon for jewelry items to be 95% platinum and 5% other metals or similar....

But I don't think of it as 'watering down' platinum. As long as the metals all work together to give you the same desired effect, and you know what is going into the metals, AND are paying the appropriate pricing for what you are buying, then what's the problem?

________________________________

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

-Albert Einstein

Posted:  5/25/2006 3:10:44 PM
P: 5/25/2006 3:32:08 PM
jazmine
jazmine

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 2,013
Last Post: 11/17/2009
Member Since: 7/12/2005
 
You would not want a ring to be made of 100% platinum. The alloys mixed with platinum help to make the ring stronger.

Posted:  5/25/2006 3:32:08 PM
P: 5/25/2006 3:38:26 PM
squawks
squawks

Rough Rock
Total Posts: 47
Last Post: 6/9/2006
Member Since: 4/24/2006
 
Agreed with jazmine - they don't "water" down platinum for no reason...

It is, however, somewhat important to make sure that the other 5% is composed of good alloys and not cheap/allergic alloys. I believe the standard (or at least for good jewelers) consist of 95% platinum and 5% ruthenium or iridium (950 parts platinum, 50 parts alloy).

Platinum with ruthenium has a slightly higher Vickers hardness rating than platinum with iridium (135 vs 80 assuming 5% alloy).

http://www.weddingbandsuperstore.com/platinfo.html

-Kevin
1/7 of your life is spent on Monday!

Posted:  5/25/2006 3:38:26 PM
P: 5/25/2006 3:43:16 PM
cinnabar
cinnabar

Cut Rock
Total Posts: 386
Last Post: 6/25/2006
Member Since: 11/29/2004
 
Cuellar isn't talking about 95% platinum alloys, he's talking about this sort of thing:

"Four months ago, Fred Meyer Jewelers began a test of "Royal Platinum," an alloy of 50 percent platinum and 49 percent palladium, in many of its East Coast and California stores that also sell high-purity platinum. "We were cautious," explains Peter Engel, Fred Meyer Jewelers president. "It states the content of Royal Platinum on the displays, in our ads, on the tags, stamped inside, and it prints out on the receipts." Sales training in selling the new alloy was critical."

Cullar's saying that it shouldn't be allowed to be made out to be as good as, or better than, pure platinum.

I think that as long as customers know what they're getting, and the advertising/hype isn't deceptive, then it's no different from 10K gold. If people are happy to pay less for a product that's less "pure", and it's not dangerous to the consumer to use that product, then there's no reason not to sell them it.

They sell "fruit juice" with tiny disclaimers on the packaging that say it's only 5% real juice and 95% water. People still buy it.

Cuellar is objecting to people buying a discount product that's not as "good" as the real thing, and pretending that it is. Like showing off a CZ and telling your friends it's a diamond.

I see his point, but he has a strange way of putting his message across.

Posted:  5/25/2006 3:43:16 PM
P: 5/25/2006 3:46:57 PM
jazmine
jazmine

Ideal Rock
Total Posts: 2,013
Last Post: 11/17/2009
Member Since: 7/12/2005
 
Settings are also often made with 90% platinum and 10% of another alloy. This can be a very good mix, in fact I prefer it when the alloy is iridium. 95% plat. is not necessarily better than 90%.

Posted:  5/25/2006 3:46:57 PM

 Previous Page Next Page 
« Independent Appraisers in San Francisco «» What is the pros of buying SI1 over SI2? »
Next Topics
Need help with diamond bracelet Possible upgrade option; would it be the answer? DiaGem...Please tell us about your new avatar! Ideal-scope Images Need a wedding band to match this ring! ... Boonerings - Tension Setting - Help Fracture in Diamond Well after all me research I need some opinions Decision made ordering on Monday Larger goods price increase Any pictures of wedding bands that use cushion shaped diamonds? Jewelers are nervous about blood diamond movie Recent graduate needs some help!!! Insurance coverage available for loose stones to be mounted please help me find a setting Where did you get custom work done? Considering upgrade to 2 ct Platium Setting.... Nothing's Easy - GIA brillianteering of the half-facets???? Whiteflash makes the news again! engagment setting looking for ring setting Daniel K...Rip off? Thoughts on this cushion Meet New GIA Acting President - Donna M. Baker CADS of setting. Erm... without a Qoute yet??? Math on a princess Photographing Diamonds Diamond Shopping List examination oncoming visit Do you think I'll be able to see this inclustion?

Jump to:



Contact Us  |  Back Home  |  Privacy Statement  |  Forum Agreement  |  Forum Policies

Ideal BB Version: 0.1.5.4.beta1 Message forum software powered by  the Ideal BB

IdealBB Badge


Pricescope - Knowledge - Diamond Prices - Tools - Resources - About

© 2000-2009 Pricescope. Terms of Use Privacy Policy Disclaimer
forum archives