Is this Pt alloy ok? (Pt 95, Cu/Ir 4, Gallium/Yttrium 1)

[RDG238]

Hi all,

We’ve been wrestling with white gold versus platinum for our engagement and wedding rings, and have decided to go with platinum, thanks for everyone’s input.

When I asked the jeweler about the composition of their platinum, they contacted their supplier, and the answer is:
95% platinum
4% copper and iridium
1% gallium and yttrium

Anyone have any details on where this is typically made, its hardness value, is it easier/harder to resize or if it is more or less prone to scratches, etc.?

Opinions/thoughts?

I wasn’t really expecting this particular answer as when I look at other threads on the forum I don’t typically see this combination.

If I don’t go with this combination of platinum, then it’s back to white gold as I don’t think they have any other alternatives.

Thanks!

 

[MWM]

I haven't heard of this alloy. It is sure to behave in an unexpected manner compared to most commonly used alloys. Who is the maker?

 

[Karl_K]

Fumes from melting yttrium are extremely dangerous
That allloy is nuts.

 

[Karl_K]

What I found that is interesting is that 95plat 5copper is used in both Japan and Germany manly for chains where it is stamped or pressed and not cast.
It does not cast well.
I did not know that.

 

[Karl_K]

It does seem some alloys are using very small amounts of yttrium but they have to be super nasty to cast or weld.
https://www.ingentaconnect.com/contentone/matthey/jmtr/2022/00000066/00000004/art00006?crawler=true

 

[Karl_K]

Interesting that gallium can make plat heat treatable in the right combination
Here and other places....

US6562158B1 - Heat-treatable platinum-gallium-palladium alloy for jewelry - Google Patents

A method of making jewelry comprising formulating a platinum alloy of at least 95 weight percent platinum, 1 to 5 weight gallium and palladium in an amount of less than about 3 weight percent, heat treating this alloy to increase the Vickers hardness by at least 20% but to not greater than a...

patents.google.com

 

[Karl_K]

Hmm not finding reference to one with copper but it sounds like it might be one of the newer heat treatable alloys.
No idea if its a good one however and the yttrium bugs me.

Help I am going down a rabbit hole!!!!!!

 

[RDG238]

Thanks for the information. My local jeweler is very reputable and well-known family owned in our area but they purchase their rings from a supplier and I don’t know the name of that supplier. When I asked about the platinum alloy, they contacted the supplier and the supplier provided the information.

I would assume that it would be a type of mass supplier, who sells to many stores. I will ask and see, but I probably will not hear anything until later this week. They do have their own in-house jeweler, who does their repair work and custom work and seems to be quite talented and I believe they have laser welders.

I appreciate any other information or opinions recommendations you can provide and if I find out anything else, I will let you know as soon as possible.

 

[newtojewels]

At the price you spent on the diamond, I would want a ring that's hand-forged custom in-house rather than made at some kind of mystery mass supplier.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Yeah … if the jeweler isn’t making it, I would find another jeweler. You don’t want something made of subpar materials that you expect to last a lifetime.