How to Identify Platinum Jewelry

It may not have the glitter of gold or the sheen of silver, but it has a beauty that is incomparable. Platinum jewelry is something most women lust after. I have always been more of a junk jewelry person compared to wearing jewelry made of precious metals, but even I would want to call a platinum ring my own. The beauty of platinum lies in the fact that while it looks like silver, it has a beautiful shimmer that the latter cannot compete with. It is also of course much more expensive, which makes it all the more yearned after. If you have decided to buy jewelry made of this precious metal, you need to learn how to identify platinum jewelry, and in this article, we will tell you exactly how to do that.

Identifying Platinum Jewelry

Ensuring that the jewelry that you buy is actually platinum and not silver or palladium being passed off as the precious metal is important. It is important to understand the difference between platinum and white gold, silver, and other semi-precious metals like palladium. A foolproof method to know that you are not being taken for a ride is to buy it from a trustworthy store, which sells jewelry that has been stamped and certified. But if you still want to test the jewelry for purity, given below are some tips that should help you when you make the purchase.

• The best way to identify the purity of the jewelry you have is to look for the symbols PT, PLAT, or PLATINON on the jewelry. These are worldwide accepted symbols that signify that the jewelry is made of platinum.
• A good way to recognize platinum is to check their weight. Platinum is almost double the weight of silver jewelry of the same value. So, if you have silver jewelry at hand, which is of the same volume or if you are familiar with the properties of silver jewelry, you should be able to identify platinum.
• Platinum is silver gray in color and has a texture that is very hard. It is also quite resistant to scratches. This can be a good way of identifying and ensuring that the jewelry you are purchasing is actually platinum.
• Platinum has a high melting point and it is also resistant to oxidation at high temperatures. One way of ensuring that the metal that you have in front of you is actually platinum is exposing the jewelry to high temperatures. Place the jewelry in a spoon when you do this. You will see that the spoon will change color but platinum will not. This is a very good test of checking for purity of platinum.
• It is also possible to buy an acid test kit from the market to check the purity of platinum. The test kit contains of a test stone and acid. All you need to do is rub the jewelry against the stone, and then place a drop of acid on the stone with metal residue on it. Platinum being a stable metal does not react to acids very fast. Such test kits can cost you somewhere about USD 20.
• Another test that you can use in order to identify platinum jewelry is to use iodine. Put one drop of iodine on your platinum jewelry. Allow the iodine to dry. On pure platinum, there will be complete clarity, but on white gold or palladium, there will be streaks of brown and black respectively.

As you have seen, the tests that you can conduct to check for the purity of platinum are very easy. It is important though that you always buy jewelry from a trustworthy store that is reputed and one which allows you some form of warranty or guarantee for the jewelry that you are buying. Now that you know how to identify platinum jewelry, you can buy this precious metal for yourself, keeping aside fears of being duped.

How to Identify Platinum Jewelry

It may not have the glitter of gold or the sheen of silver, but it has a beauty that is incomparable. Platinum jewelry is something most women lust after. I have always been more of a junk jewelry person compared to wearing jewelry made of precious metals, but even I would want to call a platinum ring my own. The beauty of platinum lies in the fact that while it looks like silver, it has a beautiful shimmer that the latter cannot compete with. It is also of course much more expensive, which makes it all the more yearned after. If you have decided to buy jewelry made of this precious metal, you need to learn how to identify platinum jewelry, and in this article, we will tell you exactly how to do that.

Identifying Platinum Jewelry

Ensuring that the jewelry that you buy is actually platinum and not silver or palladium being passed off as the precious metal is important. It is important to understand the difference between platinum and white gold, silver, and other semi-precious metals like palladium. A foolproof method to know that you are not being taken for a ride is to buy it from a trustworthy store, which sells jewelry that has been stamped and certified. But if you still want to test the jewelry for purity, given below are some tips that should help you when you make the purchase.

• The best way to identify the purity of the jewelry you have is to look for the symbols PT, PLAT, or PLATINON on the jewelry. These are worldwide accepted symbols that signify that the jewelry is made of platinum.
• A good way to recognize platinum is to check their weight. Platinum is almost double the weight of silver jewelry of the same value. So, if you have silver jewelry at hand, which is of the same volume or if you are familiar with the properties of silver jewelry, you should be able to identify platinum.
• Platinum is silver gray in color and has a texture that is very hard. It is also quite resistant to scratches. This can be a good way of identifying and ensuring that the jewelry you are purchasing is actually platinum.
• Platinum has a high melting point and it is also resistant to oxidation at high temperatures. One way of ensuring that the metal that you have in front of you is actually platinum is exposing the jewelry to high temperatures. Place the jewelry in a spoon when you do this. You will see that the spoon will change color but platinum will not. This is a very good test of checking for purity of platinum.
• It is also possible to buy an acid test kit from the market to check the purity of platinum. The test kit contains of a test stone and acid. All you need to do is rub the jewelry against the stone, and then place a drop of acid on the stone with metal residue on it. Platinum being a stable metal does not react to acids very fast. Such test kits can cost you somewhere about USD 20.
• Another test that you can use in order to identify platinum jewelry is to use iodine. Put one drop of iodine on your platinum jewelry. Allow the iodine to dry. On pure platinum, there will be complete clarity, but on white gold or palladium, there will be streaks of brown and black respectively.

As you have seen, the tests that you can conduct to check for the purity of platinum are very easy. It is important though that you always buy jewelry from a trustworthy store that is reputed and one which allows you some form of warranty or guarantee for the jewelry that you are buying. Now that you know how to identify platinum jewelry, you can buy this precious metal for yourself, keeping aside fears of being duped.

Vintage Style Engagement Rings

Wondering how to sweep your girlfriend off her feet, while you profess your love for her? Then go for vintage style engagement rings, unique in their design and beauty. Owning a piece of antique jewelry is surely a matter of pride. But since antique rings can be quite expensive, many jewelers have come up with vintage style engagement rings that are considerably cheaper than the original. If you are that kind of person who is interested in the mysteries and symbols of the past, then select a vintage engagement ring. You will be the proud owner of this timeless elegance, literally in your hands.

Antique Vintage Style Engagement Rings

An engagement is a very special occasion. Getting engaged to the one you love and ready to spend the rest of your life with him (or her) is truly the best feeling ever. This once in a lifetime occasion is cemented for ever in the memory of couples. To make this occasion special, there are many unique rings that you can choose from, while you promise each other love, commitment and dedication. One of the best engagement rings is the vintage style engagement rings, that are designed to resemble the unique characteristics of the original antique rings.

Antique style engagement rings can be purchased from jewelry stores on special order or also through the Internet which has many resources from where you can choose and buy the desired ring. You can select the ring to suit your budget. One of the advantages of selecting vintage style engagement rings is that you can style it according to your preference. The motif, gemstones, metal etc. are all based on your choice. The design is made in such a way that it may look similar to the vintage ring and only an expert can tell the difference. For a unique engagement ring, you can choose from the different mounts to set your stone. A simple band, embedded with an intricate pattern will also make a good choice for an engagement ring.

These vintage style engagement rings for men and women are available in a wide range. For men, the ring can have a broad band having a Celtic pattern or design as a motif. A diamond or birthstone can be embedded in the ring. For women, the band can have intricate work on the metal, which can be either gold or platinum. Set with a single solitaire or any other gemstone in a Victorian era design can add to the beauty of the ring. Some of the popular styles of vintage rings are inter-woven rings, puzzle rings, name rings or rings having symbols of the past. These rings are a perfect display for expert craftsmanship, with their well defined designs, neat finish and well rounded edges. Besides the diamond, which is the ever popular choice for the stone, you can try out pearl, emerald, sapphire and ruby. Want to be a bit more creative during your engagement and surprise your sweetheart? Choose a gothic engagement ring and add a touch of dark romanticism to your special day. You can also choose a ring designed according to the Celtic or Victoria era.

Vintage style engagement rings are very much in vogue these days, and what's better is that you can customize it, according to your choice and taste. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and grab a beautifully customized unique platinum engagement and designer engagement ring done in the antique way and make your betrothal a truly memorable one. Sweet memories!