Vatche U-113 Alloy Question

[marcopinder]

Hi all,

First post on here and I wanted to see what the community thought about Vatche no longer offering the U-113 setting as a PT/RU 950 mix. Apparently this is a recent update to their policy as of May 1st this year.

I'm now very nervous about making a diamond purchase on Whiteflash knowing that I would be getting such a soft ring.

Are my concerns valid and should I look at other options, or stick with the iridium offering?

Thanks all.

 

[Winks_Elf]

I wouldn't call PT950 soft.
Platinum 950 with a ruthenium blend is the same blend of platinum used by some of the most famous jewelry houses in the world, including the blue box folks. My own eternity band is PT950 with ruthenium.

I tried getting info from Vatche for you as to why they no longer offer the 900/Ird, but they're closed for vacation today. I'll see if I can get more info on Monday, but I wouldn't be afraid to purchase a setting in the PT950/Ru.

 

[marcopinder]

Hi Winks,

Thanks for the reply, but I think you have my predicament the other way around. I would like the PT/RU blend, but they only offer iridium now.

I have been reading up a lot on platinum alloys and a Vickers hardness of 135 is recommended, which would not be met in either a 900PT/IR or a 950PT/IR mix.

Hope I’m making sense, and appreciate you reaching out to Vatche.

Will be very interested in the response you receive.

 

[LightBright]

Hi Winks,

Thanks for the reply, but I think you have my predicament the other way around. I would like the PT/RU blend, but they only offer iridium now.

I have been reading up a lot on platinum alloys and a Vickers hardness of 135 is recommended, which would not be met in either a 900PT/IR or a 950PT/IR mix.

Hope I’m making sense, and appreciate you reaching out to Vatche.

Will be very interested in the response you receive.

Hi. I don’t think your information is correct. I believe it’s the other way around. Vatche no longer offers iridium platinum alloys, at least this was the case in May, when I had HP Diamonds check for me and they told me that Vatche only carries Ruthenium/Platinum alloy.

The reason why I believe Vatche only offers Ru alloy is that many mass market manufacturers have dropped the use of Iridium due to its high cost. I believe it’s more costly than Platinum now. Ruthenium, on the other hand, is far cheaper than platinum. So cost-wise, by offering only that Ru alloy, manufacturers are saving money on each ring versus using Iridium. It’s apparently also got some good properties that lends itself to certain types of metal work.

The reason I’m interested in Iridium has to do with a metals sensitivity I have to Ruthenium, not my desire for a certain hardness or color. Plat/Iridium 900/100 is lighter in color than Ruthenium Plat, and it’s almost as strong. Here is a link to Mark Morrell’s page on platinum alloys and why he works in 900/100 Plat/Ir. Mark crafts exceptionally fluid and finely polished work, so his use of that Iridium alloy speaks to its value in his particular craftsmanship (cast and polished to high luster).
http://www.mwmjewelry.com/platinum_purity.htm

The jewelers that I know about which do offer 900/100 Plat/Iridium alloy are White Flash, David Klass, Steven Kirsch (who will do a special alloy as his customary alloy is Ru/Plat), Mark Morrell and Stuller. James Allen doesn’t offer Iridium/Platinum alloy except in rare cases, Adwar doesn’t. Most sites don’t mention what alloys they use.

I hope you can get some clarity on Vatche.

 

[marcopinder]

Hi LightBright,

Thanks for your input, however the email I got from Whiteflash on the subject is as follows:

“Unfortunately Vatche stopped casting in the PT/RU alloy, effective May 1st of this year, so it is a recent update to their policy.
Is there something specific that you are concerned about with iridium?”

Followed by the next email after sharing my concerns on hardness:

“PT/IR 950 is a common alloy among designers. Although it is a little softer, the ring will only require polishing to make it like new again.
Vatche settings are cast and hand finished.”

Looks like I will have to go direct to Vatche to get a definitive answer on this one.

Thanks

 

[LightBright]

Hi LightBright,

Thanks for your input, however the email I got from Whiteflash on the subject is as follows:

“Unfortunately Vatche stopped casting in the PT/RU alloy, effective May 1st of this year, so it is a recent update to their policy.
Is there something specific that you are concerned about with iridium?”

Followed by the next email after sharing my concerns on hardness:

“PT/IR 950 is a common alloy among designers. Although it is a little softer, the ring will only require polishing to make it like new again.
Vatche settings are cast and hand finished.”

Looks like I will have to go direct to Vatche to get a definitive answer on this one.

Thanks

This is great news for me, although I’m not sure I’d select a 950/50 Iridium alloy. I’d want 900/100 Iridium alloy if I had the choice, due to Vickers Hardness (see link I posted above). Please share your findings when you get them.

 

[Winks_Elf]

I just got off the phone with our rep at Vatche. The standard blend of their platinum is the PT950 with ruthenium. However, they can also do the iridium blends, and it will take longer because of the casting, but it is a possibility.

There you go, straight from Vatche.

 

[marcopinder]

Hi Winks,

Apologies for delayed response, have been away on holiday.

That is great news, I will share this with my contact at Whiteflash as I still haven’t got a response from Vatche via them, or directly, as yet. Apparently they are in the middle of a relocation.

Appreciate you getting a response and posting here.

Thanks