CS setting material: silver-platinum?

[Brightshiny]

Decisions, decisions... I'm finalizing details for a ring and while I usually go for platinum, it's for some less-expensive stones (small spinels and sapphires).The "silver platinum" setting is a lot less expensive. Is there any reason why I shouldn't use it? If you've had both platinum and silver-platinum settings, what differences have you noticed and would you go with the silver platinum again?

 

[seaurchin]

What is "silver-platinum?" Are you talking about platinum-plated silver?

 

[Brightshiny]

What is "silver-platinum?" Are you talking about platinum-plated silver?

It's an alloy that some jewelers use. not plated.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I don't own it, but I am familiar with it (I do own argentium silver, which is slightly different, as the silver is alloyed with germanium as opposed to platinum). Both are tarnish-resistant, which is a major advantage over traditional sterling (which is alloyed with copper - hence the oxidizing). As you'd expect, platinum silver is more durable than sterling silver, but neither is as durable as solid platinum. However, if it's a less expensive bright white metal you're going for, and durability isn't of the utmost importance, I think it's a great alternative!

 

[junebug17]

After reading the above post, it seems like a great alternative to me! I'd go for it!

 

[Autumn in New England]

After reading the above post, it seems like a great alternative to me! I'd go for it!

Absolutely! I really feel like it's going to soar in popularity once folks become familiar with it and more shops begin to offer it (so few do). I think we can tend to look down on silver, but it is still considered one of the 3 main precious metals. It's just a shame it took so long for a proper alloy. I've always loved sterling (silver is the brightest metal on earth), but can't stand the maintenance, which is due to copper's propensity to oxidize. So, we take 90-95% pure silver (which is too soft on its own) and add in a little platinum. Voilà... a bright white, tarnish-resistant metal that has increased durability. I remember when fine silver was all the rage (doesn't tarnish, but super soft)... then argentium silver entered the fray (better). But platinum silver is superior to all, IMO. Naturally, gold and platinum-family metals are still going to be more durable, but like you said, this is a great, affordable alternative!

 

[junebug17]

@Autumn in New England, I agree! It seems like a great way to set and enjoy our gemstones without breaking the bank. Idk, gold and platinium settings are just so darn expensive these days. And nobody is going to be able to tell just by looking at it. Yeah, somewhere along the line silver got a bad rap, I guess partly because of the tarnishing issue. I'm liking this as an alternative!

 

[LilAlex]

Any idea how the "color" compares to other precious white metals? Pure, bright white -- more so than (95%) platinum? Warm or cool?

 

[Autumn in New England]

@Autumn in New England, I agree! It seems like a great way to set and enjoy our gemstones without breaking the bank. Idk, gold and platinium settings are just so darn expensive these days. And nobody is going to be able to tell just by looking at it. Yeah, somewhere along the line silver got a bad rap, I guess partly because of the tarnishing issue. I'm liking this as an alternative!

And it's so unfortunate, because pure silver itself does not tarnish! Why early alchemists chose copper as the alloy metal is beyond me. I suppose because, at the time, is was a readily available and inexpensive base metal. I always thought titanium would've been a good alternative. But of course, now I prefer a platinum alloy!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Any idea how the "color" compares to other precious white metals? Pure, bright white -- more so than (95%) platinum? Warm or cool?

Yes, it's going to have a bright silvery-white appearance comparable to traditional sterling. It's actually called "platinum sterling." So it's going to be more reflective and whiter than platinum (which can have more of a silvery-gray tint).

 

[dk168]

For lesser CSs and lab ones, I have used Rhodium-plated Silver to cut down on cost of the settings, along with Moissanites or LGDs if applicable.

DK

 

[Mreader]

Absolutely! I really feel like it's going to soar in popularity once folks become familiar with it and more shops begin to offer it (so few do). I think we can tend to look down on silver, but it is still considered one of the 3 main precious metals. It's just a shame it took so long for a proper alloy. I've always loved sterling (silver is the brightest metal on earth), but can't stand the maintenance, which is due to copper's propensity to oxidize. So, we take 90-95% pure silver (which is too soft on its own) and add in a little platinum. Voilà... a bright white, tarnish-resistant metal that has increased durability. I remember when fine silver was all the rage (doesn't tarnish, but super soft)... then argentium silver entered the fray (better). But platinum silver is superior to all, IMO. Naturally, gold and platinum-family metals are still going to be more durable, but like you said, this is a great, affordable alternative!

This is so interesting!!!

 

[Brightshiny]

Any idea how the "color" compares to other precious white metals? Pure, bright white -- more so than (95%) platinum? Warm or cool?

I'm not sure but I have a ring arriving tomorrow. I'll take a few pics and share with my regular platinum and sterling sliver for comparison.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yvonne Raley offers the metal burning a recent blog she said she doesn’t recommend it because it’s soft. I wonder how it holds up over time for prongs and thinner shanks?

I actually like oxidized metal. I would consider it for a pendant.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Yvonne Raley offers the metal burning a recent blog she said she doesn’t recommend it because it’s soft. I wonder how it holds up over time for prongs and thinner shanks?

I actually like oxidized metal. I would consider it for a pendant.

Yeah, it's certainly not a substitute for gold or platinum in the durability dept., but it's a definite improvement on sterling silver. I also enjoy oxidized silver (as a collector of Native American pieces)... I just don't like tarnished silver!

 

[Gloria27]

It's an alloy that some jewelers use. not plated.

Never heard of this until now, I thought the different melting points of the metals would be a problem.

 

[Brightshiny]

Ok, the platinum sterling ring arrived today, so here are some pics showing the different colors of metals.

The thick band is a platinum ring from the same designer. It's the exact same shade as all my other platinum rings.

The small circles are white gold earrings (sorry, no white gold rings - I've always gone for platinum).

The thin band is the platinum sterling. It's a bit brighter and whiter/ less gray than the others. It looks really nice. I'd probably wear it. It does feel a lot lighter than the platinum rings, which makes sense - it's a smaller band in a less dense material.

Photos were taken outside on a bright but overcast day. the background is actually white printer paper, although it showed up grayish on my phone.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Ok, the platinum sterling ring arrived today, so here are some pics showing the different colors of metals.

The thick band is a platinum ring from the same designer. It's the exact same shade as all my other platinum rings.

The small circles are white gold earrings (sorry, no white gold rings - I've always gone for platinum).

The thin band is the platinum sterling. It's a bit brighter and whiter/ less gray than the others. It looks really nice. I'd probably wear it. It does feel a lot lighter than the platinum rings, which makes sense - it's a smaller band in a less dense material.

Photos were taken outside on a bright but overcast day. the background is actually white printer paper, although it showed up grayish on my phone.

That band is just... it shouldn't have been sent out like that. Any word from her yet? Love the look of the silver though.

 

[Brightshiny]

That band is just... it shouldn't have been sent out like that. Any word from her yet? Love the look of the silver though.

thanks. Yeah, it's a little off.

I haven't reached out yet. she emailed me about something else this morning to say she was away for the Easter weekend and would get back to me later, so I figured I would reach out tomorrow.

the platinum ring in these photos is also hers and it's absolutely perfect.

I probably won't order platinum sterling again. It's a challenge to size or repair - I can't just run this over to the local jeweler and hope they have the right alloy in stock.

 

[Autumn in New England]

thanks. Yeah, it's a little off.

I haven't reached out yet. she emailed me about something else this morning to say she was away for the Easter weekend and would get back to me later, so I figured I would reach out tomorrow.

the platinum ring in these photos is also hers and it's absolutely perfect.

I probably won't order platinum sterling again. It's a challenge to size or repair - I can't just run this over to the local jeweler and hope they have the right alloy in stock.

I hadn't even considered that... going down would be fine. But yeah, going up (without stretching, which I hate) would require the local jeweler have access to that alloy. Well, I have faith it will work out in the end, and your daughter will love her new ring. Do keep us posted and, again, good luck!

 

[BoulderGal]

Absolutely! I really feel like it's going to soar in popularity once folks become familiar with it and more shops begin to offer it (so few do). I think we can tend to look down on silver, but it is still considered one of the 3 main precious metals. It's just a shame it took so long for a proper alloy. I've always loved sterling (silver is the brightest metal on earth), but can't stand the maintenance, which is due to copper's propensity to oxidize. So, we take 90-95% pure silver (which is too soft on its own) and add in a little platinum. Voilà... a bright white, tarnish-resistant metal that has increased durability. I remember when fine silver was all the rage (doesn't tarnish, but super soft)... then argentium silver entered the fray (better). But platinum silver is superior to all, IMO. Naturally, gold and platinum-family metals are still going to be more durable, but like you said, this is a great, affordable alternative!

HI @Autumn in New England ! I've never heard of such an alloy. Do you know who uses it or where to find it? I'm super curious since I'm a fan of white metals.

 

[Autumn in New England]

HI @Autumn in New England ! I've never heard of such an alloy. Do you know who uses it or where to find it? I'm super curious since I'm a fan of white metals.

Hello there! I've seen some Etsy sellers offering it as a choice for their ring designs. I haven't seen it available locally (yet) myself! Palladium silver (slightly different, but a member of the platinum family) is a bit more common, and then argentium silver (which uses germanium) is pretty widely available. I love these metals as an alternative, because, while still soft compared to alloyed gold and platinum, they're a bit more durable and tarnish-resistant than traditional sterling.