Platinum Care

Platinum is often marketed as a "low-maintenance" metal, and in many ways it is — but it ages differently from gold, and understanding that difference helps you care for it correctly rather than fighting its natural character.

What Is Platinum?

Platinum is a naturally white, dense precious metal — roughly 60% denser than 18K gold — and one of the rarest metals used in jewellery. Unlike white gold, platinum's white colour is natural and doesn't rely on rhodium plating to stay bright. It's also naturally hypoallergenic, making it a common choice for sensitive skin.

950 Platinum

Jewellery-grade platinum is typically alloyed to 95% purity, stamped "950" (or "Pt950"), with the remaining 5% usually made up of metals like ruthenium or cobalt for added strength during fabrication. This is significantly purer than most gold jewellery alloys — for comparison, 18K gold is only 75% pure.

Why Platinum Scratches Differently Than Gold

This is the most misunderstood part of owning platinum. When gold is scratched, tiny amounts of metal are actually removed from the surface. When platinum is "scratched," the metal is usually just displaced, not lost — platinum is a soft, malleable metal that shifts rather than chips away under light surface contact. Over time, this displaced metal builds up as a soft, satin-like surface texture called a patina.

Understanding Patina

Patina is the naturally developing brushed or satin finish that platinum acquires with regular wear — many owners come to prefer this soft, warm glow over the original mirror-polish finish. It's not damage; it's platinum's natural aging process, similar to how certain woods and leathers develop character over years of use. If you prefer platinum's original bright, reflective shine, a jeweller can professionally re-polish it at any time to remove the patina — though most jewellers will point out that the patina itself is often considered a desirable, authentic sign of a well-loved piece.

Cleaning Platinum

• Wipe with a soft, lint-free cloth after wear to remove everyday oils and residue.
• For a deeper clean, use warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap and a soft-bristled brush, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
• If the piece includes diamonds or gemstones, choose a cleaning method safe for the most delicate material present — not just the platinum itself.
• Avoid chlorine and harsh household chemicals, which can affect the metal's surface over repeated exposure.

Storage

Store platinum jewellery separately from other pieces to avoid surface contact marks, ideally in a soft pouch or lined box compartment. Platinum's density and strength make it highly resistant to bending or warping, so storage requirements are mainly about preventing surface abrasion rather than structural damage.

Resizing

Platinum can be resized, though the process requires more heat and skill than gold due to its high melting point and density — always have platinum resized by a jeweller experienced specifically with the metal. Because platinum is rarely lost during resizing (it displaces rather than sheds), well-maintained platinum rings often require less metal replenishment over their lifetime compared to gold.

Common Misconceptions

• "Platinum never needs any care." It needs less maintenance than white gold (no re-plating), but still benefits from regular cleaning and periodic professional polishing.
• "A scratched platinum ring has lost metal." In most everyday scratches, the metal has simply moved, not disappeared — this is the basis of platinum's patina.
• "Platinum is the same as white gold." They look similar but are entirely different metals — platinum is naturally white and denser, while white gold is a yellow-gold alloy plated white with rhodium.

Professional Polishing

If you prefer platinum's original high-shine finish over its natural patina, a jeweller can re-polish the surface — a straightforward service that removes light surface texture and restores reflectivity. Because platinum isn't lost in the same way gold is during polishing, this can typically be done multiple times over a piece's lifetime without meaningfully thinning the metal.