Short version of my question: My question for Whiteflash Platinum owners (PT950, 5% iridium mixture which they've been using for the past few years), are you happy with the platinum quality? Do you have any other platinum pieces to compare to which are made with a 90/10 iridium or 95/5 ruthenium mixture? If so, do you notice a difference in scratch/wear resistance?
Longer, more detailed version:
I purchased a beautiful .9 carat AGS 000 stone from Whiteflash and I'm 99% sure I'm going with their Sleek Line Pave setting (link below) in Platinum. After showing my girlfriend hundreds of pics of various settings, she keeps coming back to this one as her favorite.
Whiteflash currently uses a PT950 95% platinum alloy with 5% iridium which seems to be about the least desirable platinum mixture after reading dozens of threads here about platinum. They will however use a 90% platinum 10% iridium mixture if desired for an additional (but fair) fee (x2 once I purchase a matching wedding band). The only drawback to going with the custom mixture aside from the increased price is that it qualifies as a semi-custom request and the ring would therefore not be returnable.
The rep I've been working with at WF said that they've not seen much difference in wear between 90/10 and 95/5 iridium and that the 95/5 is easier to work with. I believe they used to use the 90/10 several years ago based on something I read in a thread here on PriceScope.
A page on Whiteflash's site states that: "The way the piece was formed, the heat treatments, welding and soldering applied and the skill of the craftsmen involved are all as critical to the final product as the alloy itself. Seasoned craftsmen and smiths may develop a favorite based on personal experience but no platinum alloy is "better" or "worse" than the others."
While this may be true to a degree, the above statement does seem to contradict a lot of what I've read here and on other sites re: the benefits of different platinum compositions.
So my question for Whiteflash Platinum owners (PT950, 5% iridium), are you happy with the platinum quality? Do you have any other platinum pieces to compare to which are made with a 90/10 iridium or 95/5 ruthenium mixture? If so, do you notice a difference in scratch/wear resistance? Any input is appreciated.
Thanks!
Link to Sleek Line Pave setting:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/legato-sleek-line-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-1120.htm
Longer, more detailed version:
I purchased a beautiful .9 carat AGS 000 stone from Whiteflash and I'm 99% sure I'm going with their Sleek Line Pave setting (link below) in Platinum. After showing my girlfriend hundreds of pics of various settings, she keeps coming back to this one as her favorite.
Whiteflash currently uses a PT950 95% platinum alloy with 5% iridium which seems to be about the least desirable platinum mixture after reading dozens of threads here about platinum. They will however use a 90% platinum 10% iridium mixture if desired for an additional (but fair) fee (x2 once I purchase a matching wedding band). The only drawback to going with the custom mixture aside from the increased price is that it qualifies as a semi-custom request and the ring would therefore not be returnable.
The rep I've been working with at WF said that they've not seen much difference in wear between 90/10 and 95/5 iridium and that the 95/5 is easier to work with. I believe they used to use the 90/10 several years ago based on something I read in a thread here on PriceScope.
A page on Whiteflash's site states that: "The way the piece was formed, the heat treatments, welding and soldering applied and the skill of the craftsmen involved are all as critical to the final product as the alloy itself. Seasoned craftsmen and smiths may develop a favorite based on personal experience but no platinum alloy is "better" or "worse" than the others."
While this may be true to a degree, the above statement does seem to contradict a lot of what I've read here and on other sites re: the benefits of different platinum compositions.
So my question for Whiteflash Platinum owners (PT950, 5% iridium), are you happy with the platinum quality? Do you have any other platinum pieces to compare to which are made with a 90/10 iridium or 95/5 ruthenium mixture? If so, do you notice a difference in scratch/wear resistance? Any input is appreciated.
Thanks!
Link to Sleek Line Pave setting:
http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/legato-sleek-line-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-1120.htm
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