Platinum polishing

[gailrmv]

hi!
It''s been almost a year since I upgraded to my current platinum solitaire setting and matching band. I bought them locally and the store offered one time platinum polishing free. I had it done a few weeks ago and wow!! I hadn''t even realized how dull my platinum had gotten. I thought, I''ll have this done every year or every 6 months! But it turns out that the store charges $65 per ring for same day polishing, $50 if you leave it, and either way that is pricey to have done on a regular basis! (I thought when I asked about it before they said $30, so it must have gone up.) Since my rings are on the thicker side (3 mm or so each) the difference is major after polishing.

Do those prices seem too high?

Is there anything I can do to keep my rings shiny longer? (I have been using a jewelry polishing cloth every day, but not sure if it is doing any good!)

How often do most people get their plat rings polished?

Thanks!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Hello Gail. For simply brightening the ring that price would be high, but it’s not unreasonable for a full-service polish. That would include sanding, removing all dings and scratches, checking the prongs/stones and brightening it.

To keep it shiny longer you could stop wearing it

but that would defeat the purpose of having it, methinks. Using a good cleaner and polishing cloth each day is your best bet...it sounds like you are a good jewelry citizen. We suggest having it polished once per year.

 

[gailrmv]

JohnQuixote,
Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your time and the good info!

By the way, just noticed that the cloth I am using is for silver - do you think it is OK to use on the plat? (It seems to do a better job keeping the scratches at bay than a plain soft cloth would!)

Gail

 

[TravelingGal]

Gail, where do you live? While Robbins Brothers (here in California, with sister stores elsewhere in the country) isn''t my favorite in terms the salespeople I''ve encountered, they do offer (superficial) polishing for free, even if you didn''t buy the ring from them. I''ve gotten it done once so far, and it makes a huge difference. I openly admit that I didnt buy my ring from them, but heard they would polish for free, and would they do it if they have time? I go in when it''s not busy, and they were quite gracious about it.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Oh wow TG, good tip re: polishing at RB. I too don''t care for their salespeople and approach, but will try them out for the polishing!

THANKS

 

[SeaOats]

My local jeweler will clean, polish, and check your prongs for free even if you didn''t buy it from them. I bring my rings in every six months for a cleaning and prong check, but don''t get them polished because then I am back to square one with tiny scratches coming one by one. I prefer the patina of platinum.

 

[gailrmv]

Great tip about Robbins Bros! How long does it take for them to do the polishing? I''m not sure we have a store here but I will check. I am cautious of leaving my stuff b/c my mom had her diamond swapped out for a CZ when she left it once (not Robbins Bros, a diff store not a chain.) I know the inclusions on my stone and check every time, but still, who wants to mess with risking it?

The place where I bought my rings is great for cleaning and checking prongs. I guess plat polishing is pretty involved. I wish I had seen patina before I bought my rings, although still would have gotten platinum. I just love the bright shiny look!

 

[JohnQuixote]

Date: 8/22/2006 12:40:28 AM
Author: gailrmv
JohnQuixote,
Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your time and the good info!

By the way, just noticed that the cloth I am using is for silver - do you think it is OK to use on the plat? (It seems to do a better job keeping the scratches at bay than a plain soft cloth would!)

Gail

Gail, your appreciation is appreciated.

Some cloths have rouge on one side to remove tarnish and the other side is untreated - for polishing. If this is what you have then, depending on the treated side, it may not be suitable for 24k gold, pearls, ivory or soft/porous stones or lacquered surfaces – but it should be fine for platinum. Polish away.