How to determine platinum at home

Platinum is a precious metal that is used to create jewelry. It became known back in the 18th century, but platinum has only now received a wide range of applications. Platinum is now used to make small jewelry such as rings, earrings and chains. Only small jewelry is popular because of its high final cost, which not everyone can afford. In the era of the Internet, it is very easy to buy jewelry, but there is one drawback - until you receive the item you cannot see and evaluate it, that is, you can easily buy a fake on the Internet. You can be safe from this by purchasing a platinum item in a special store, but even here you cannot be completely confident in the integrity of the sellers. The question arises - how to determine platinum, or rather its authenticity, and even at home?

Determine the weight and density of the decoration

Platinum is quite heavy and can only be compared with the metals of its group: iridium, osmium, uranium and rhenium. All other metals are much lighter. On top of that, when producing jewelry, the weight of platinum will be from 85% to 95% of the total mass. In other words, platinum jewelry is made almost entirely of base metal. And therefore, how to distinguish platinum from possibly similar other metals is a very important question.

For example, gold and silver products have less precious metal in their mass, which affects its cost and overall value. In such a mixture, it is not advisable to use iridium, osmium or rhenium for weighting, since they, in addition to the same price as platinum, are also rarely found in the natural environment. To understand whether the jewelry is made from real raw materials, you need to select a sample that needs checking and compare it with one of similar size. Such a ring will be much heavier than the opponent, but if the ring is the size of a grape, you will have to use precise scales to determine the platinum.

If you have a measuring cup or other vessel for measuring volume, you can use it to measure the density of the decoration. To do this, weigh the product and lower it into a vessel with water, after which we look at the volume of water squeezed out in cubic centimeters (should be about 21.45).

If approximately 21.45 cubic centimeters of water have been removed, then we can talk about the authenticity of the decoration.

Product Inspection

Nowadays many products can be ordered in online stores. Such purchases are usually significantly cheaper and can be delivered directly to the buyer's home. Jewelry is no exception. However, with this method of purchasing, the risk of purchasing a fake increases. To reduce it, experts recommend buying expensive jewelry in jewelry stores.

Self-respecting companies sell jewelry with a special tag . It is made of thick cardboard. The tag must indicate the product article, sample, and weight. Such a label is attached to the jewelry with a thread with a metal seal, on which there is an imprint of the manufacturer. Some jewelry comes with special certificates, although this requirement is only required for items with stones.

A platinum product must have a hallmark. Jewelry made from this metal can be graded 850, 900, 950 or 999. The markings must be clear and easy to read.

If the numbers are not clearly stamped or do not meet the standards, there is a high probability of fraud. It is better to refuse such a purchase immediately.

Next you need to carefully examine the decoration itself. Typically, genuine platinum products have a very high price and no less high quality. The best jewelers work with this metal, so there are no flaws or visible defects on rings or chains. If the intended purchase looks like a hastily made craft, it is most likely counterfeit.

The size of the product is also important. Real platinum jewelry is not big and bulky - the metal is too expensive for that, so the proposed massive item at an unusually low price is a deliberate fake.

Chemistry will help

Science can teach you how to determine platinum at home; there are many videos in which experienced jewelers teach this testing method. For example, you can use a product that is in every first aid kit - iodine. Its drop on a product made from original raw materials should be dark, this will be an indicator of authenticity. The darker the iodine, the higher the purity of the metal, and after wiping, there should be no streaks left on the product.

Ammonia is also a good way to test the precious metal. If platinum is exposed to it, then it will not react in any way to its influence, all other metals will turn black and this will be a good method to check the authenticity of jewelry.

It's unlikely, but you may have nitric and hydrochloric acid at your disposal at the same time. These chemical liquids must be mixed in a ratio of 1 to 3 to obtain the so-called “royal vodka”. When heated, the mixture will gradually dissolve the platinum, but when cold, nothing should happen.

Platinum as a catalyst

This expensive metal, in addition to jewelry, has a very wide range of applications in other areas. For example, in technical applications it is used as a catalyst. It produces nitric acid. Platinum catalysts accelerate many chemical reactions, which is why it is also used in the production of sulfuric acid. In 1821, a chemist from Germany discovered the property of platinum catalysts to accelerate the process of converting wine alcohol into wine vinegar without exposure to high temperatures. At the same time, he noted that nothing happens to the metal itself. He also found out that a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen, when interacting with platinum black or platinum sponge, causes combustion. And due to the active release of heat, an explosion occurs. Thus, he invented a means of making fire before matches were invented.

The world's first platinum catalyst was produced in the 60s of the last century. It was a dehydrogenation catalyst.

Platinum is also used as a catalyst in other industries. This:

• Oil refining industry, where it is also used as a catalyst;
• Electrical engineering sector of production. It is used for the production of various sensors, electrical appliances, contacts, devices where high precision is required;
• Automotive industry. In this case, platinum is used as a catalyst;
• Space industry. Electrodes of fuel cells in spacecraft are manufactured
• Medicine. All surgical interventions are performed with platinum instruments; metal is also used in dentistry, cardiology, and for the manufacture of prosthetic parts
• Glass. Metal is used to produce high-quality optical devices. They also produce fiberglass and equipment for the production of premium quality glass.
• Chemical instruments.

How to extract platinum from a catalyst

Many resourceful people, knowing about the great value of the metal, know how to extract platinum from a catalyst and use it. Most often, platinum catalyst can be found in the automotive industry. It is from such a catalyst that the precious metal is most often extracted. An auto component filled with ceramics or metal looks like a honeycomb, and its upper part is coated with precious metal. It could be platinum, rhodium or palladium. This is necessary in order to reduce the level of toxic substances released during vehicle operation.

Resourceful people, knowing about this deposition, use auto catalysts to extract the noble metal. To extract tolls, two methods are used:

• leaching;
• "aqua regia"

The leaching method is most often used. To carry it out you will need nitric and hydrochloric acids. Due to the fact that the auto catalyst is made of ceramic or aluminum, this complicates the leaching process, since the ceramic or metal reacts with acids and oxidizes. This results in the loss of some platinum. Therefore, this method requires several catalysts.

First, the catalyst is soaked in a solution of hydrochloric acid. Then it is heated and, when vapor appears, oxidizing agents are applied.

Distinguishable from silver

Silver has a much lower price than platinum, which is why unscrupulous manufacturers often pass off silver as a more expensive metal. To identify silver, look at the color of the item. The counterfeit metal is lighter, while silver has a certain gray tint. Also remember that large jewelry is not made from platinum due to its high cost, so if you are offered a large chain at a low price, then it is most likely a scam.

From left to right: silver, platinum and white gold.

You can test platinum at home “by the tooth”, platinum will withstand being bitten, and silver will receive a small mark from the tooth. Platinum is harder and therefore resistant to physical impact. At home, you can also take a rotten egg on which you can put both decorations. Silver will turn black due to hydrogen sulfide, but platinum will retain its fresh appearance as before, which will help determine the authenticity of the product.

Noble metals in the jewelry industry: the status of platinum and silver

Speaking about the differences between platinum and silver, we should look at each metal in more detail.

Platinum is a lustrous noble metal with a silvery-white color. The element got its name thanks to the Spanish conquistadors, who contemptuously called the metal “silver”, believing that it was not of particular value. Now platinum is synonymous with luxury.

This precious metal is one of the rarest, its content in the earth’s crust is much less than gold, and the bulk of the deposits are in the USA, Russia, China, and South Africa.

Wedding rings: platinum and silver
Platinum exhibits great chemical resistance and is one of the most inert elements. Insoluble in acids and alkalis, it is used in technology, medicine, industry, and for investments. This metal and its alloys are widely used in jewelry. Jewelers call platinum the “queen of metals” because it is the embodiment of rarity, status, and individuality.

Heating

Platinum is very refractory, so it cannot be melted using a lighter flame. It will also not succumb to a gas stove or even a burner. This material does not change color when heated, since it is impossible to quickly change its temperature. That is why, when the platinum ring is briefly heated, you can put it on your finger without fear, because the jewelry inside will not have time to warm up. But based on this experiment, it is impossible to draw unambiguous conclusions, which means you must either use other verification methods or contact a specialist who knows exactly how to check the authenticity of the platinum product you purchased.

It is a specialist who will be able to help if you do not know how to test platinum. And only then can you be completely sure that you are wearing a real noble metal.

Physical methods

Here are several available methods that do not require special professional knowledge or the use of complex equipment:

1. It is worth paying attention to the color of the metal. Silver has a darker and dull hue, platinum appears lighter and has a bright shine. In addition, it does not darken or fade even during long-term storage.
2. Compare mass of products. If you pick up jewelry made of platinum, it will be much heavier than the same thing made of silver. For comparison, you can hold in your hands rings or earrings of approximately the same size, made from these two elements. If the jewelry is too small and it is not easy to determine the weight, you can use a pharmacy scale. Theoretically, the item could be made from an alloy of silver with another metal that has a higher density. However, such materials have a high cost, so producing such fakes is simply pointless.
3. You can take the product in your hands and hold it in your clenched palm for about a minute. Platinum has low thermal conductivity and will remain cold after such a test. Products made from other metals will heat up much faster from the heat of human hands.
4. A long-known method is the “tooth test.” Platinum has such a high density that it is impossible to leave scratches or teeth marks on it. Silver is a softer material; traces of any mechanical impact may remain on it.
5. The density of a product can be determined by placing it in a container of water and calculating the volume of liquid displaced by it. This number must be divided by the weight of the decoration. For platinum, the resulting value should be 21.45. If the indicator is approximately 10.5, the item is made of silver.
6. Platinum is refractory and is not afraid of high temperatures. It will not melt and will not change its color, even if you bring it to the open flame of a gas burner or lighter. A genuine product made of noble metal can even be put on your finger after such an experiment, but a silver ring will heat up and can cause a burn.

Experience with table salt

This method of determining platinum will appeal to those who love experiments. Conduct the experiment as follows:

1. Pour concentrated brine solution into a canning jar.
2. Dip the product into the liquid.
3. Connect the decoration to the plus of the battery, and the jar itself to the minus.
4. Study the results of the study.

If a precipitate has formed in the solution and the liquid has become cloudy, then this is 100% counterfeit. After real platinum, the solution remains clear, but as a result of the reaction, chlorine is released. You will recognize this volatile substance by its characteristic odor.

Magnet

Like other noble metals, platinum is resistant to magnetism. If the metal is attracted to the object, then this is a fake. This method does not guarantee a 100% result, because silver, which is often passed off as platinum, is also resistant to magnets. And in order to pour these metals, you will need to carry out other tests. You will learn about them in the next chapter.

White gold: description, distinctive properties

White gold is not a natural phenomenon, it is an alloy of yellow gold with other metals. Unlike ordinary gold, which has a natural yellow tint, people have learned to make white for their own purposes. Its popularity came from Europe in the 20th century and continues to this day. Depending on what metals are included in its composition, the properties of precious objects also differ. Many people believe that white gold is nobler than yellow gold and even has magical properties. It will help stabilize the functioning of the heart, blood vessels and simply improve your mood. It is believed that this noble metal is more suitable for such zodiac signs as Cancer, Pisces and Scorpio, as it has a strong influence on people with the element of Water. Also, different alloys are designed for different purposes. For example, an alloy containing nickel is quite strong, which means it is excellent for making earrings and rings.

Table: comparative analysis of properties

How to distinguish silver from platinum? The differences become obvious when you look at the characteristics of the metals individually:

Color

Of course, these two metals are very similar visually. They have the same shade, but platinum is lighter than silver, has a more pronounced shine, and does not fade over time.

Silver earrings

Density

Under normal conditions, the density of platinum is 21.09-21.45 g/cm3. This indicator makes the element refractory and heavy.

The density of lunar metal under normal conditions is 10.5 g/cm3, it is lighter than lead, but heavier than copper.

Melting temperature

The “Queen of Metals” melts at an extreme temperature of 1768.3 °C.

Now for some good stuff

If you are purchasing platinum jewelry, go to a reputable jeweler or store. Today, finding stores with gold, silver and platinum is not a problem. But even if they have an alarm system, security, counters with jewelry, they can also be fake. And it’s not a fact that the store’s employees will know about it. That is why we repeat again and again - go buy jewelry in a large store that has already made a name for itself and has earned a positive reputation. You don't have to check whether it's platinum or not.

If you want to know what metal your jewelry is made of, go to a specialist. They will tell you the truth, provided that you do not choose the cheap option of examination in a subway crossing, where you can easily be deceived. Any large store will help you and determine whether it is platinum or another metal.

It is also worth contacting serious stores for security reasons, since they do not pass on information to third parties and will not deceive you.