The Platinum Alloy Debate

[Ashley Hoffman]

Hello Pricescope experts! I bought a new diamond and I am looking at setting options. I am very interested in platinum alloy options as I have always worn white gold but I have grown tired of the rhodium plating process it requires and the wear over time of the white gold. I wear my rings daily and work in the medical field so I can be hard on my rings at times. I have done a LOT of research of the different platinum alloys through various threads on pricescope already as well as other websites and I am torn on which one to choose. I am looking for the whitest metal I can get which I understand is platinum 900/100 iridium but I have read that this alloy will scratch more than platinum 950/50 ruthenium and is more expensive due to the iridium. Various pricescope posts say to stay away from p950/50 iridium because it scratches the most.

What are your preferences and why? Do you have any pictures of your platinum pieces and the patina it gets over time?

 

[Tonks]

I like 95/5 ruthenium. It seems to stay shinier over time. Platinum/iridum is quicker to patina.

If you are coming from white gold I think you will find that the ruthenium alloy gives you more of what you are used to.

 

[Ashley Hoffman]

I like 95/5 ruthenium. It seems to stay shinier over time. Platinum/iridum is quicker to patina.

If you are coming from white gold I think you will find that the ruthenium alloy gives you more of what you are used to.

Thank you! Do you find in person that the gray tone of the ruthenium alloy is noticeable compared to to the whiter tone of the iridium alloy?

 

[0-0-0]

IMO there’s a much bigger difference in color between plated white gold and platinum than between the more common platinum alloys. Unless you are wearing different platinum alloys next to each other I don’t think it’s a noticeable difference. If patina bothers you it’s just a simple polish at the jeweler. I think it’s more important to go with whichever alloy your jeweler has more experience working with.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

If patina bothers you it’s just a simple polish at the jeweler. I think it’s more important to go with whichever alloy your jeweler has more experience working with.

If platinum patina bothers you stay with white gold! The point to platinum is you cant see the scratches for the scratches after a few months!
And agree 0-0-0 - jewellers have various choices and preferences.
Finally, polishing platinum is dammed hard. It does not let go of itself and needs several cross emery with different grades before you hit the buff.
Plead DO NOT POLISH PLATINUM just enjoy it as it is. But feel free to have it rhodium polished if you prefer super shiny to begin with.