A Guide to Platinum Wedding Rings

When you think about wedding rings, you may picture gold and silver. But there are other metals out there that can make for a great ring, too. For example, platinum is a luxurious metal that has become increasingly popular for those who want to buy their fiancée an unforgettable wedding ring.

If you’re considering getting platinum wedding rings for yourself, your partner or spouse, this article will tell you everything you need to know about it as well as some of its pros and cons.

What is platinum?

Platinum is a rare, high-density precious metal. It is classified as a transition metal on the periodic table, and it is one of the heaviest metals used to make wedding bands. Because platinum is very malleable, it is frequently used to make strong wedding ring settings and platinum rings with highly detailed filigree work. It must also be alloyed with one of three other metals – ruthenium, iridium, or cobalt – to make platinum hard enough to work with since it is so soft.

Platinum alloys, in contrast to gold alloys, are characterised by their high purity. Anything with less than 80% platinum content in jewellery is not considered platinum, and most alloys range from 85% to 95% pure. 14K gold, for example, is only 58% pure gold, whereas 18K gold is only 75%.

Platinum wedding rings

Platinum rings are among the most popular choices, as the material is versatile enough to accommodate a variety of styles and designs. The metal’s workability allows for a wide range of finishes and pairing it with other gems and metals is therefore simple.

The perfect combination is platinum and diamonds since the colourless diamonds are complemented by the metal’s cool tones. Eternity wedding bands and men’s diamond wedding rings are favourites that combine these elements. There are several common styles of ring finishes, including brushed, textured, matte, hammered and satin. For those seeking an unconventional ring, there’s a blackened moon rock patterned wedding band.

Colour

The alluring white hue of platinum has become increasingly popular over the past several decades, although greyish-white platinum has been particularly popular in recent years. As platinum becomes more popular, yellow and rose gold are steadily being moved into the “vintage” and “classic” categories. Many people like the contemporary colour and feel of platinum, which requires little maintenance to keep it shiny and long-lasting. And colour matching is important for platinum engagement rings.

Longevity and durability

Platinum’s hardness and durability are unmatched when compared to its alternatives, gold, palladium, and silver. Because it is harder and more durable than gold, palladium and silver, as well as more malleable than tungsten and titanium, platinum offers great durability and sturdiness. As such they are a great based for holding precious jewels so are popular choice for diamond wedding bands.

Despite its resilience against scratches, platinum is relatively easy to polish or resize. Platinum is one of the best metals because it doesn’t lose any volume when it is scratched. Other metals chip when they are scratched, however, platinum dents but retains its mass. Platinum is also corrosion-resistant and, if the wearer dislikes the patina that forms over time, it can also be quickly polished.

Value and price

Because of its excellent qualities and rarity, platinum is a very valuable and expensive metal. Only a few hundred metric tons of platinum are produced annually, making it one of the rarest elements in the earth’s crust. Due to high demand and low supply, products of any kind are naturally costly.

Thin and plain platinum rings with diamonds can range from £300 to £400, but most platinum rings cost at least four digits. The price of a platinum ring with diamonds is commonly between £1,000 and £1,500. Even though platinum is so costly and valuable, it can still fit a variety of budgets, depending on the design and style of the ring.

Care and maintenance

Of course, platinum’s incredible resilience makes it much simpler to maintain than most other metals. The ring’s design is critical here. A shiny, polished platinum ring, for example, will show more scratches over time than a brushed or matte design. If the ring appears scratched or worn, you may have it polished to eliminate the little dents that create the patina.

In regard to storing the ring, it is best to store platinum in either a cloth pouch or a separate box. This will keep the other jewellery safe because if a platinum ring hits either a gemstone or gold ring, it can easily scratch them.

Platinum rings are also simple to wash since they are durable and don’t have an artificial coating. There is no need to use harsh detergents since warm soapy water is usually sufficient regardless of ring style.

How to understand the platinum grade/labels

The platinum content is indicated by the percentage amount of platinum present in the product. PT950, for example, is 95% platinum by weight, PT900 is 90% platinum by weight, and PT850 is 85% platinum by weight. The UK assay offices recognise four levels of fineness for Platinum: 850, 900, 950, and 999. They only use the highest jewellery grade, Platinum 950, in their rings.

Platinum ring grades and alloys

Platinum rings that are used for weddings should be made from PL950 platinum, as it lasts longer and wears better than other platinum grades. The most common platinum wedding ring grades are PL950/ Iridium, PL950/Ruthenium and PL950/Cobalt.

Iridium, an important platinum group metal which is referred to as 100% precious, makes up 5% of PL950/Iridium’s weight, which is 95% platinum. PL950/Ruthenium is 95% platinum and 5% ruthenium by weight. It can also be referred to as 100% precious due to ruthenium’s status as one of the platinum group metals. Lastly, The PL950/Co alloy comprises 95% platinum and 5% cobalt by weight. It is not 100% precious, but it is superior to other platinum grades.

What platinum wedding ring grade types are worth buying?

PL950/Iridium is sold in many markets, but it is not advertised as the finest quality grade. The mixture yields a soft metal that can bend, scratch, and pit. With time, a wedding band made of this metal might develop a dull appearance or accumulate a lot of scratches. PL950/Ruthenium is an extremely scratch-resistant platinum grade and maintains a beautiful mirror finish and stunning designs.

PL950/cobalt is considered to be the finest quality platinum alloy for wedding rings due to its strength, durability, bright appearance and design versatility. While some people may experience allergic reactions to cobalt alloys, these are rather uncommon with PT950/Cobalt.