All platinum should have a platinum jewelry hallmark.

Platinum can have a number of different purities. Most platinum pieces are 95% pure which is to say 950 parts per thousand parts. (The balanced is usually Iridium). However it is possible to get platinum even down to 50% only. Any jewelry marked or containing less than 50% platinum is not considered platinum unlike gold which can be ‘diluted’ or alloyed even down to around 10 percent gold and still be called gold.

This applies to jewelry only. Platinum bullion such as coins and bars are almost always pure (99.999%) platinum and the platinum content is always stated on the coin or the accompanying certificate.

The hallmark to look for then will be marks such as, 950 Plat, 950Pt, Pt950 or Plat, giving the ratio of platinum to other metal(s).

In the UK, since 1975 all British platinum must have a platinum hallmark. This is a symbol of a scepter inside a pentagon. The mark should also, much as the US system, show the purity of platinum. Mark 850 indicate a purity of 85 percent. 900, 90 percent, 950 means 950 percent and of course 999 indicates a purity of 999 percent platinum.

When looking at platinum, always ensure that the hallmark is stamped on the piece to distinguish it from white gold which likely will have no hallmark.

Platinum is an excellent metal for jewelry as it is hypo-allergenic and ideal for sensitive skin. It is the most durable and strongest of precious metals and really sets off diamonds to their best. Being strong it can hold diamonds well for many years without the prongs getting loose.

The Hope Diamond, the Kohinoor and the Star of Africa, some of the world’s famous diamonds are set in platinum.

So when shopping for platinum jewelery always ensure you get to see the platinum jewelry hallmark and always ensure you know what purity of platinum the piece is.

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 6th, 2007 at 9:24 am.