How can you tell the difference between platinum and silver?

Silver and platinum both have gray undertones, unlike white gold which has a warmer, yellow undertone, but platinum is much brighter and shinier and silver has a duller, gray appearance. The difference in durability is really no contest between platinum, white gold and silver.

How can you identify platinum?

Platinum is a very rare and expensive metal. Therefore, all platinum jewelry will be marked to show authenticity. Look for the words “Platinum,” “PLAT,” or “PT” followed or preceded by the numbers “950” or “999.” These numbers refer to the purity of the platinum, with “999” as the most pure.

How can I test platinum at home?

The simplest tests are heating and discoloration. If the item is heated, for example, in a Bunsen flame, platinum will be more difficult or impossible to melt and the platinum will not discolour. The effect of acid is another basic test. None of the common acids will attack Pt.

Does platinum stick to a magnet?

As platinum is not magnetic, if your piece is attracted to a magnet, you can safely say it is not platinum. If you notice a slight magnetic pull, then it is more likely your metal is white gold combined with nickel.

Can platinum be marked 925?

When an item is stamped “925 Platinum,” it means that it is made of 92.5\% platinum. You will also find pieces of jewelry that are marked “925 Silver” and “925 Gold.” Those terms mean exactly what the “925 Platinum” term means – that the item you are looking at contains 92.5\% silver or gold.

Is white gold different from platinum?

The two main differences between platinum and white gold are the composition and price. White gold consists more of a mixture of durable metals like nickel, zinc and copper while platinum is more pure with 95-98\% platinum composition. More platinum is needed to make a ring though, causing the price to be 40-50\% more.

How can you tell if a metal is platinum?

Look for an inscription that says “platinum” on the item. If your piece is marked with the word “platinum,” it is at least 95\% pure. More commonly, you will see a number like 850 or 85 followed by “pt” or “plat.” This indicates that 85/100 parts are platinum, meaning the piece is 85\% pure.

How can you tell platinum from white gold?

Stampings and Markings If you find a marking that contains the letters PT, Pt or Plat, you have found an item that is made of platinum. If you see a karat marking like K or k, usually accompanied by a number, the item is made of white gold.

What color is raw platinum?

Diagnostic properties: Platinum is a metallic white to silver-gray colour. Its streak is a shiny silver-gray.

Is platinum a silver?

While at first glance both silver and platinum appear silver in color, the two metals are actually easily discernible to the naked eye. Both have gray undertones, unlike white gold which has a warmer, yellow undertone, but platinum is much brighter and shinier and silver has a duller, gray appearance.

What does G mean on silver?

G. Silver or German Silver, has no silver content, although the piece can be highly collectable anyway.

How to tell the difference between silver and platinum jewelry?

Examine the color of the two metals and notice which one looks a bit whiter in appearance. Platinum looks almost white, whereas silver has a more grayish tint to it and is also prone to oxidation which may cause it to start turning black.

What is the difference between silver and other precious metals?

Silver, platinum, and palladium have similar colors, almost equal to the untrained eye. The primary differences are that silver stands out as the most common precious metal, but it is susceptible to corrosion and scratches. Seeing these flaws on coins is a good indication that the coin is pure silver and not a combination of different metals.

How can I tell if my jewelry is made with sterling silver?

If it is a larger product then it is very likely that it has been manufactured using sterling silver. Examine the color of the two metals and notice which one looks a bit whiter in appearance. Platinum looks almost white, whereas silver has a more grayish tint to it and is also prone to oxidation which may cause it to start turning black.

Why does my platinum jewelry turn black?

Platinum looks almost white, whereas silver has a more grayish tint to it and is also prone to oxidation which may cause it to start turning black. Bite down on the jewelry piece and see which one feels tougher, as you probably have seen done in movies numerous times.