How Much Platinum Does Your Platinum Jewelry Really Contain?
If you have pieces of platinum jewelry that you’re thinking of recycling, how much platinum do they contain? Here’s some information from the Federal Trade Commission that can help you know.
Don’t Rely on Information that Is on the Packaging
Even if your platinum items are packaged in boxes or other packaging that states that they are made of platinum, don’t believe it unless the items themselves are stamped with markings like “platinum,” “plat” or “pt.”
Understanding the Markings on Pieces of Platinum Jewelry
If an item is simply stamped as “platinum,” “plat,” or “pt.” with no other markings, that means that it contains at least 95% pure platinum - if it was legally sold in America.
If it is stamped with a marking like “850Plat,” that means that it contains 85% pure platinum.
Sometimes stampings will indicate the other metals that are present in the jewelry too. For example:
- 800 Pt. 200 Pd. indicates 80% pure platinum and 20% palladium
- 750 Pt. 250 Rh. Indicates 75% pure platinum and 25% rhodium
- 600 Pt. 350 Ir. Indicates 60% pure platinum and 35% iridium
What Other Metals Could Platinum Jewelry Contain?
According to the FTC, jewelry that is marked “platinum” could contain:
- Other platinum group metals such as iridium, osmium, rhodium, or ruthenium
- Base metals such a copper or cobalt
Not Sure What You Have?
If you own a quantity of jewelry that you think is made of platinum but which has no markings, what does that mean? There are several possibilities. It could have been manufactured for sale in other countries, for example. It could have been made before current labeling standards were enforced. Or it could have been improperly stamped by the manufacturer.
If your items are not marked, you would be well advised to call Specialty Metals Smelters and Refiners, a qualified platinum refiner, for testing. Call 800-426-2344 to learn more.
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