If you are a possessive person about your platinum jewelry, then you must be looking for a complete guide “How to clean platinum jewelry?” then this right requires your complete attention.
Platinum is a white metal that naturally occurs. It is much weightier and harder than gold. Platinum can be used purer than gold due to its hardness. Normally, about 95%. Consequently, platinum jewelry is more costly than gold.
Platinum is “scratch resistant,” many say. This is valid in some ways, but not exactly correct. In fact, while platinum doesn’t really scratch, it can produce small bumps and ribs on its surface (in the sense that particles are lost).
It is normal that the metal is “ridged” when the owner of the jewelry wears it, pulled into one hand and the other. This is especially the case when you get into contact with hard surfaces with wedding rings and engagement, worn every day in your hand.
This surface is called “the Patina of the Century” in platinum jewelry. It is considered attractive. The patina has a very loved and used element of platinum jewellery and gives a feeling of heirloom.
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Why you should Buy Platinum?
1. It is evergreen
When purchasing a ring, it is difficult to consider the long term. When you walk into a shop, everything seems to be shiny and fresh. But what about in 30 years when your ring has seen some natural wear and tear? How long can your ring’s metal last?
Platinum, unlike its close competitor, is a naturally white metal that does not need any maintenance to remain the colour in the future. White gold, which is designed to look like silver, begins to yellow with time. It needs regular maintenance to remain the same colour, which platinum does not require. Platinum will never deteriorate or change colour over time.
Also Read:-Gold vs Platinum: Which Metal Is Best For Your Ring?
2. You will love to pass it your kids
Platinum, like all precious metals, inevitably wears out. Platinum, on the other hand, is one of the most robust precious metals for a ring due to its enduring nature, and it can wear the best of any precious metal.
When platinum is scratched, the metal is simply displaced, with very little metal lost. Gold, on the other hand, loses slivers of metal when scratched, resulting in faster metal loss. Platinum retains its volume over time and produces a warm patina finish, which adds character to the ring. The metal displacement actually acts to harden the ring.
The ring eventually records a lifetime of wear and memories on its surface, making it ideal for passing down to loved ones. Platinum can age gracefully if properly cleaned and/or polished.
Platinum jewelry is also ideal for family heirlooms due to its scarcity compared to gold. It is, in reality, 30 times rarer than gold! Every year, approximately 88 tonnes of platinum are used to produce jewelry, compared to 2,700 tonnes of gold. Platinum is valuable due to its scarcity and will retain its value over time.
3. It is the protector of your diamond
Platinum is now considered to be a naturally white metal. You never have to worry about any unnecessary colour reflecting into the diamond because of its pure white colour that will not change over time. White gold that yellows with age, as well as yellow gold in general, will reflect some yellowish tones into a diamond. Instead, the naturally white hue of platinum highlights the diamond’s brilliance.
Cleaning the Platinum Jewelry
Daily uses of soap and water applications, hand creams, and simply being outside in the elements leave their mark on your jewelry over time, particularly if you wear platinum every day. Fortunately, there are numerous products and techniques available to preserve platinum and make your jewelry shine without harming precious gemstones or environment. Adopting these easy practices will make your jewelry sparkle and give you peace of mind that your prized platinum is in good hands.
It’s best to clean your platinum jewelry on a regular basis, so set aside one day per week to complete this basic yet vital mission. Visit your jeweler once a year (scheduling a date close to your birthday makes it easy to remember) to rekindle the “just purchased” light. If you want, your jeweler will polish your platinum back to a high shine (many people prefer platinum’s natural patina, a soft, lustrous finish that grows over time). Your jeweler can also inspect your environment to ensure that it is safe and stable.
The easiest way to clean platinum is with a gentle platinum jewelry cleaner designed especially for platinum, such as the reasonably priced Connoisseurs Precious Jewelry Cleaner. If that isn’t a choice, using mild soap and warm water is a decent substitute — just gently clean the ring with your fingers and dry with a lint-free cloth. Submerge your rings in any cleaning solution to avoid damaging the centre stone. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, remove any surface dirt.
The following is a list of the most common platinum jewelry cleaning methods for at-home use. Be sure to follow the instructions given by the manufacturer. The majority of these products can be purchased online or at specialty stores:
Common Cleaning Methods
1. Cleaning Foam and Pre-Packaged Towelettes
These towelettes are ideal for travelers or anyone who wants to have some on hand at their desk for a fast wipe-down. After a brief period of time, apply jewelry foam to your precious gems and thoroughly clean with a soft brush. Rinse and dry your platinum jewelry. When you’re not at home, pre-packaged wipes provide a fast way to clean jewelry of surface grime and grit. Deep cleaning is not advised.
2. Liquid Cleaners
These small jars typically include a basket and a gentle cleaning solution, allowing you to quickly dip and retrieve your jewelry. Some of the most common brands are ammonia-free while still containing enough detergent to thoroughly clean your jewelry. Many brands also include a soft brush, which you can use with caution after dipping. Follow the product instructions and dry with a smooth, lint-free cloth.
3. Ultra Sonic Cleaners
Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners, which were previously only available to practitioners, can now be bought for home use. Place your jewellery in the compartment with plain water and set the timer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The rest is handled by sound-wave technology. To dry, use a smooth, lint-free fabric.
4. Steam Cleaners
Steam cleaning is used by professionals to easily and efficiently remove built-up debris from fine platinum jewellery. Despite being a regular at your jeweler’s bench, small steam cleaners are now available for home usage. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and allow to dry completely before wearing.
5. Hand-held Ultra Sonic Cleaners
Hand-held ultrasonic cleaners that are lightweight, travel-sized, and battery-powered can be used to clean jewellery manually—with the aid of a small cleaning tip. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, dry with a clean, fluffy, and lint-free fabric.
6. Try Homemade Jewelry Cleaning Method
While our grandmother may have advised us to clean our fine jewellery with toothpaste, there are less abrasive ways to clean platinum. One of the most basic is to combine a few drops of gentle dish liquid (the kind that sits on your counter) with pure seltzer. According to the Good Housekeeping Institute, carbonation loosens dirt and debris more effectively than plain water while remaining soft. Soak your jewellery in this solution for one minute, swishing it around a few times. Brush any remaining dirt and debris away with a soft toothbrush and gently dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
7. Don’t Forget Cleaning Cloth
To clean your jewelry, use cotton, lint-free cloths rather than paper towels. Many different labels are available in stores and online, but any smooth, 100 percent cotton fabric remnants will suffice. Many store-bought jewelry cloths claim to remove tarnish, but platinum jewelry owners never have to worry about tarnish. Since platinum’s surface is naturally white, it will never tarnish. And, unlike white gold, it will never need plating.
Note of Caution
While you can clean your jewellery at home with so many wonderful over-the-counter items, nothing beats a trip to the jeweller. Only your jeweller has professional-grade cleaning and polishing equipment that can restore your jewellery to like-new condition! If you have platinum jewellery with a significant diamond or gemstone, have your jeweller inspect the gemstone’s prongs.
FAQs
What is so special about Platinum?
Platinum, a white silver metal, is the hardest of the precious metals, weighing almost twice as much as karat gold. It has the lowest reactivity of any metal and a very high melting point. Platinum is particularly useful in industrial applications due to these properties, as well as its chemical stability.
Why Platinum is expensive?
Platinum is more expensive than gold since it is rarer and mined even less frequently. In comparison to 1,500 tonnes of gold, only 160 tonnes of platinum are mined per year. Furthermore, since platinum is denser than gold, the same ring would weigh considerably more in platinum than in gold (and precious metals are priced by weight).
Does Platinum lose its shine?
Platinum can fade in a different way over time. It will not turn yellow like yellow gold, but it will begin to lose its lustre and develop a natural patina (more on this in a bit). Some people like this look because it emphasises a diamond’s brilliance and makes it appear more sparkly.
