Setting question: are you happy with your platinum alloy (iridium, cobalt, ruthenium)?

[TotalNewbie]

Stone has been sourced by Whiteflash, and I'm likely having WF make the e-ring too, yay! My question is, I like the whiteness of platinum and low-maintenance of platinum (no rhodium re-plating). Scratchability, not so much. WF, being as awesome as they are, will work with me on choosing a platinum compound (their default is 950 platinum/iridium). I'd love recommendations from PSers out there who are happy with the hardness (scratch resistance) of their platinum rings. I'm considering 900 platinum/iridium. But if anyone has a platinum/ruthenium or plat/cobalt ring I'd love to hear whether you're happy with the ring, and any problems with prongs or in general?

Lastly, I am attaching a link to a metal alloys specs chart. Hopefully it will help someone else who may be looking for this info in one comprehensive place. Lists hardness andother specs of prec metals compounds:

http://www.hooverandstrong.com/category/Casting+Grain+Specifications/ (the Vickers Hardness column is helpful for scratch resistance information)

 

[yssie]

Have plat/irid (950) and plat/ru rings.


Not happy with either - all alloys of plat. will scratch and patina, and I don't like the look. I didn't notice any real difference in wear between the alloys.



I'm going with unplated wg - doesn't patina and I adore the colour

ETA: depending on your setting design, expect to pay extra for a specialty plat. alloy. My custom plat/ru quote came to ~$200 more with WF.
ETA: forgot to mention (thanks deco!) - my shanks are plain and polished, no milgrain/engraving, so they show scratches very clearly.

 

[decodelighted]

I have 900 pt -- but I''m not sure what the alloy is. I''d guess Iridium. IT IS A TANK. Worn 99% of the time and good as new. Mine has a lot of engraving and milgrain on it so it doesn''t show wear as much as polished metal though.

 

[TotalNewbie]

Thx yssie and decodelighted!

Decodelighted, may I ask how long you have had your 900 plat ring? That compound may be the winner!

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

950 plat/ iridium and totally happy with it. I''ve had the engagement ring for 8 years and the wedding band for 7. I''ve had them both re-polished once in that time and I buff them with a polishing cloth whenever I clean the diamonds. No engraving, plain bands on both. There is some scratching, but the colour is still bright and fairly shiny.

 

[TotalNewbie]

Thanks, everyone, the replies have been VERY helpful.

900 Plat/Iridium is being priced the same as 950 Plat/Iridium, so right now the 900 Plat/Iridium is the top choice, but I''m awaiting pricing on some other compounds.

aaaah, the hardness of white gold combined with the ease-of-maintenance of platinum...dare I dream?

Love to hear more comments from platinum ring owners out there.

 

[yssie]

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/those-who-have-solitaires-question-for-ya.136222/

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 4/20/2010 4:21:41 PM
Author: TotalNewbie
Decodelighted, may I ask how long you have had your 900 plat ring? That compound may be the winner!

Four & half years +/-. I believe Mark Morell, platinum guru, works with 900 pt. My wedding band is 950 & its been fine also (mostly stones & miligrain -- few solid, polished surfaces though).

 

[TotalNewbie]

Thanks, yssie, for the thread. I can see what you mean about showing wear from the photos! I mean, the rings don''t look bad or anything but I see what you mean.

Let''s see what WF comes back with. Some of the newer compounds like platinum/indium/gallium are super-hard (harder than white gold, I think). But I''ll be more likely going with a compound where others have ventured first (I mean others who I can get feedback from, like PSers). I have a pretty sporty lifestyle so I want hard-wearing rings, and am pretty forgetful so I will want rings that I virtually never take off (or at least very rarely). I''d just prefer rings that don''t require much servicing at all, whether that''s re-polishing or re-dipping. Maybe I''m asking for too much. But we''ll see.

Any platinum/cobalt ringowners out there, or anyone else with platinum thoughts?

WF has really been amazing through all of this, incidentally. Very professional folks over there.