How can I tell a platinum ring from a white gold ring?

Platinum is a naturally white metal that will never lose its brilliant lustre. All gold is naturally yellow. White gold is actually yellow gold that has been alloyed to make it look white (sometimes referred to as 'bleaching'). Over time, most white gold will begin to yellow and it will need to be regularly re-plated to maintain its whiteness.

As well as looking different, platinum also feels different. It's denser than gold so the same ring would be around 40% heavier in platinum compared with 18K gold. Platinum's reassuring weight cannot be matched by any other precious metal.

How do I know that a piece of jewellery is really platinum?

All platinum jewellery is marked Platinum, Pt or Plat.
Its pure platinum content can also be shown:
850 jewellery is 85% pure platinum
900 jewellery is 90% pure platinum
950 jewellery is 95% pure platinum
999 jewellery is 99.9% pure platinum

Each superbly styled item of Djadji Platinum™ jewellery carries the “PT 950” hallmark, indicating that it is 95% pure.

Why is a platinum ring more expensive than gold?

• The rarity of platinum means that its price is invariably higher than that of gold.
• Platinum jewellery is generally 95% pure platinum compared with 18 carat gold jewellery which is 75% pure gold.
• Platinum is denser than gold, so a piece of platinum jewellery weighs over a third more than the same piece made of 18 carat gold.
• The process of making a piece of platinum jewellery requires a higher level of craftsmanship.

Will platinum jewellery scratch?

All precious metals can scratch, and platinum is no exception. However, the scratch on platinum is merely a displacement of the metal and none of its volume is lost.

Is platinum a new metal for jewellery?

Platinum was used for decoration by both the ancient Egyptian and Inca civilizations and in modern times was the first material capable of securely holding diamonds in a delicate framework. This led to the creation of the beautiful Art Deco pieces of the 1920s. Today the understated elegance of platinum continues to enchant new generations of consumers.

How do I care for my platinum jewellery?

• Store pieces separately in a jewellery box or chamois bag so they don’t get scratched by other items of jewellery.
• Remove your platinum jewellery when doing manual work.
• Don’t handle bleach or harsh chemicals when wearing platinum jewellery. Although they won’t hurt the platinum, chemicals may discolour some of the softer gemstones.
• Clean platinum periodically by using a pre-packaged jewellery cleaner or by soaking it in a mild solution if soap and warm water then gently rubbing it with a soft cloth.
• Have your platinum jewellery professionally cleaned once in a while.
• If your jewellery requires adjustments, resizing, polishing and cleaning ensure that your jeweller has a platinum trained bench worker.

Can I wear platinum if I have sensitive skin?

Each superbly styled item of Djadji Platinum™ jewellery carries the “PT 950” hallmark, indicating that it is 95% pure. To make up the other 5%, platinum is commonly alloyed with iridium or ruthenium – both of which are platinum group metals. Platinum is therefore hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin.