Platinum is the most popular metal for engagement rings all around the world. Because of the metal’s tenacity and natural sheen, you may rest assured that your Platinum ring will last a lifetime. This silvery-white metal is the most trendy option for rings. However, some people wonder if you can wear platinum rings every day. Since platinum is commonly used in most engagement rings, they have to be worn everyday.
Platinum is an inert metal and does not react with skin for most individuals even when worn continuously for months or even years. Jewelry made from Platinum is considered hypoallergenic and thus considered safe for sensitive skin. Platinum does not react with most of the acids present in everyday items like perfumes, lotions and soaps. Therefore, it is highly resistant to corrossion. It also does not react with oxygen in the air or even water, making it a safe choice. Additionally, platinum jewelry is mostly about 95% pure and therefore has other metals in little quantity. However, there may be exceptions to it.
So, let’s address the most often asked questions about wearing platinum rings daily to help you in any way possible.
Can a platinum ring be worn every day?
Yes! Platinum is a tarnish-resistant, gleaming silvery-white metal. It’s often used in jewelry, and it’s unquestionably an excellent choice for a lifetime of use.
- Hardness: Platinum is a hard metal, making it withstand the wear and tear of rough daily use. The hardness of Platinum is 40, while that of Gold is 25. As it is hard, it does not bend or scratch very easily, making it suitable for everyday wear.
- Strength: Platinum is very strong and can thus withstand a lot of pressure. The tensile strength of Platinum is between 18100 to 23900 PSI in comparison to Gold, which has tensile strength of 17400 PSI. Hence, a ring made out of platinum will have higher chances of withstanding blows when compared to a similar ring made out of gold.
- Rare in nature: Since platinum is rare in nature, it is expensive. Because of the rarity ,not everyone owns a platinum ring. So if you own it, flaunt it every day!
- Tarnish Proof: As the metal is inert in nature, it does not tarnish easily. So you can wear your platinum ring everyday without fearing that it will tarnish with use.
- Careful of the setting: If your ring has a stone, ensure your stone is set in a setting that holds the stone really well. If you have thick and strong prongs, you are safe wearing it everyday. Normally, prongs set in platinum are stronger and more durable than gold or silver prongs.
- Hypoallergenic: Platinum is a hypoallergenic metal and jewelry is mostly free from any nickel. Hence, the chances of your platinum ring affecting your skin are minimal.
- Low maintenance: Platinum, as a metal, is pretty low maintenance. Therefore you can wear your ring everyday.
- No fading involved: Unlike white gold, which sheds the top white layer with regular wear and needs re-polishing, platinum is completely white. So your Platinum ring will not turn yellow when worn everyday.
However, no matter how durable or convenient platinum rings are for everyday use, you must clean them regularly to prevent them from looking dirty or dull.
Are platinum rings heavy?
Yes, Platinum rings are normally heavy when compared to rings made from Gold and Silver. The density of silver is 10.491 g/cc and that of Gold is 19.32 g/cc, while the Platinum has a density of 21.45 g/cc. Higher density makes the rings heavier. Another factor to consider here is that the molecules in platinum jewelry are packed closely in comparison to the molecules in gold and silver. Additionally, rings made out of gold and silver normally have a higher percentage of other metals as well, while Platinum rings are mostly 95% pure. These additional metals are less dense and contribute in reducing the weight of the ring. Therefore, a gold ring in 22 carat will be heavier than a gold ring in 18 carat gold or 14 carat gold. Consequently, these rings will be proportionately lighter.
Consequently, a platinum ring can be 40%-60% heavier when compared to a gold or silver ring of the same size and shape. Having said that, it is entirely up to the person to determine how hefty the ring should be.
Is a platinum ring soft to wear?
Platinum ring is indeed soft to wear. On the moh’s scale, Platinum is 3.5, which makes it harder than gold and silver which are around 2.5. However, it is softer than Iron and steel. This does not mean that it will feel hard or rough against your skin. Platinum is really soft and smooth to touch. While wearing it, you will not feel any friction between your skin and the ring.
Why are platinum rings bad?
Platinum rings are well-known for being the most popular all over the world. But have you ever considered that platinum rings have certain disadvantages?
- Expensive: Platinum is a rare metal. Also, you need to process a huge amount of ore to get a small amount of the metal This overhead increases the cost of Platinum. Thus you have to pay more for a platinum ring.
- Weight: Like we discussed above, Platinum is one of the world’s densest metals, making it heavier than any other metal. If you prefer light weight jewelry, you may not like going for a platinum ring. Having said that, you must give it a try as heaviness is relative and each individual may have different preferences.
- Less Design options: Since platinum has a higher melting point, it is harder to work with. Therefore, less design options are available when it comes to platinum.
- Not completely scratch resistant: While platinum is harder than Gold and silver, so relatively scratch resistant, it is not completely immune to scratches. Harder metals and stones like diamonds may cause scratches on a platinum ring.
- Resizing is expensive: Working with platinum rings is more complicated. This is because it has a much higher melting point than other metals. As a result, you’ll have to spend more on repairs, if needed, pay more for labor to produce your jewelry, or resize it. However, if you make the right choice in size while purchasing, platinum rings do not have high associated maintenance costs.
- High making charges: Making charges for Platinum jewelry are mostly higher in comparison to other metals. Therefore, you are paying a higher amount while buying your platinum ring.
- Gets dull: When there are too many scratches on the surface of a platinum ring, it starts looking dull. You need to get it re-polished to revive it’s sheen.
Do platinum rings wear off quickly?
No, Platinum rings do not wear off quickly under normal circumstances. Rather, Platinum rings are for a lifetime! You buy a platinum ring and it can be a heirloom piece. Platinum has some amazing qualities like being strong, tarnish-resistant and inert which make it lasting.
Platinum does get scratched by other harder metals and stones, so if you are operating heavy machinery or if lifting heavy weights daily is a part of your job, your platinum ring may develop some scratches or bends. Even under such circumstance, you will not lose the metal. This is because, when scratched, platinum gets displaced instead of getting chipped. So the ring will not shed any weight. The same also applies when you get your ring polished. The ring will retain its weight for years.
Can you get your platinum rings wet?
Yes, you can get your platinum ring wet. Water itself does not damage platinum. However, washing dishes is not okay. If you are washing dishes, the chemicals present in the cleaner can be detrimental to your ring. Also, if you are going swimming in the ocean or pool, the chemicals and salts present in the water can dull the sheen of your ring.
There is another caveat to it, if your ring has a stone set in it, water may damage the stone, if not the metal of your ring. E.g., Zircon, Jade, Ppal, cat eye, Haemetite, Turquoise and pearls are some stones that damage on exposure to water.
Can you wear platinum rings in the sun?
Yes, wearing a platinum ring in the sun is perfectly fine. Sun does not have any direct effect on platinum rings. Whether it’s a sunny day or a frigid winter day, platinum rings are suitable for every weather.
Caveat: If you are applying sunscreen on your hands and wearing the ring under the sun, it is a good idea to remove your ring and then apply it. Also, wipe off any excess from your skin before putting on your ring.
What are the critical elements during summer that are not suitable for platinum rings?
While platinum rings are not directly impacted by the sun, the brightness and luster of your favorite ring can be altered by some aspects throughout the summer.
- Build up of products
As we just discussed, we frequently use sunscreen in summer to protect ourselves from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. However, the product in question does not necessarily destroy the platinum rings; instead, it develops a covering that can make them appear dull.
- Sweat makes the ring dirty
Sweating is unavoidable throughout the summer. During this time, platinum rings may appear to be dirty.
- Adverse effects of the sun on precious stones
Platinum may hold a precious stone extraordinarily well. During summer, sun exposure can cause the stone to fade or weaken. As a result, if you don’t take adequate care of them, you may risk losing them.
- The ring becomes dull as a result of exposure to chlorine and chemicals
During the summer, everyone enjoys swimming to beat the heat. The water in swimming pools contains chlorine and certain other chemicals that can damage metals, such as platinum, and discolor them.
Is cleaning of platinum rings necessary?
Yes, it is. It doesn’t matter which jewelry you wear, be it platinum or any other metal. It still needs to be cleaned to look brighter and shiny. The cleaning routine you follow for your jewelry will depend on how often you wear it. Platinum rings worn everyday would require more frequent cleaning in comparison to rings that are seldom worn.
- Daily upkeep: It is a good idea to wipe clean your jewelry with a soft muslin cloth every now and then to remove any oil or dirt accumulation. Dirt often accumulates on the ring due to regular use. Leaving it uncleaned will cause it to lose its shine.
- Periodic mild cleaning: To clean your platinum ring, you can use slightly warm water and soak the ring in for a couple of minutes. Use a very soft jewelry cleaning brush to clean between gaps. This can be repeated in 2-3 weeks time. It will help maintain the sheen.
- Every Few Months: Use a diluted jewelry cleaning or a mild detergent solution and soak it in it for a few minutes. Jewelry cleaning foam is also an option for cleaning your rings. If your platinum ring has a gemstone set in it, you should avoid soaking it in a solution water. Instead, use a toothbrush with soft bristles to clean it.
- Professional Cleaning: Based on how often you wear your ring, you can get it cleaned professionally every 6-18 months.
Is it possible to maintain the shine of a platinum ring after daily use?
Platinum does develop a patina, especially if it scratches a lot post everyday use. A platinum ring is an expensive investment that must be cared for to keep its luster. Despite being the most durable metal, regular use can cause dents, dings, and scratches on the ring. The following steps can help you keep the shine on your platinum ring.
- Avoid blows: Be cautious not to bump your ring into hard objects or operate any heavy machinery while wearing the ring. Any sudden blow can lead to a deep scratch in your ring.
- Be careful: A simple act as opening a door’s handle can lead to your ring coming in contact with harder metals like steel and iron.
- Avoid chemicals: While platinum is inert and does not react with chemicals, prolonged everyday exposure is not good. It would be best if you took off your platinum ring while using certain chemicals and even every day cleaners and cosmetics.
- Sand is not good: Take off your platinum ring when you are on a beach.
- Stay clear of chlorine: It is a good idea to leave your ring at a safe place when you are going for a dip in the swimming pool.
- Gardening tools are not safe: Avoid wearing a platinum ring while gardening, as the gardening tools are rough and can leave your ring scratched. Also, there may be substances in the sand that can scratch the metal.
- Store it safely: Clean it regularly and store it in a separate box or pouch of the jewelry box where it does not come in contact with other metals or harder stones to avoid any scratches.
How to remove scratches from platinum?
It is always best to seek professional help when it comes to removing scratches from a piece of platinum jewelry. Platinum is nearly twice as hard as gold and you need specialized tools to buff out the scratches. It would also interest you to know that only a few jewelers offer these services. Also, you must not avail polishing or buffing services too frequently as it may eventually result in thinning of the jewelry. Although, with platinum jewelry, you do not lose as much metal as you would with gold jewelry.
While you may try cleaning your platinum jewelry using the below process, it will not make it free from scratches.
- Let your platinum ring soak in lukewarm water for a few minutes.
- To clean your ring, use a gentle cotton cloth and apply only gentle pressure as you work through your jewelry. Don’t exert additional pressure when washing your ring.
- Let your platinum ring air dry.
Ensure not to use toothpaste, baking soda, or any such product that can potentially damage your platinum ring. If the scratches are severe, having it polished at a jewelry store will help.
Summing up
Platinum rings are strong and durable. Their extravagant nature adds a touch of glam to any outfit, and you can wear them at any time without going out of style. As a result, proper care and maintenance are required.
The key to keeping platinum rings gleaming and exquisite is proper maintenance. Everyday use of platinum rings exposes them to various factors that may have an indirect or direct negative impact. Platinum rings made of metal are also easily scratched, so be mindful of the same while you are wearing your ring.
Remember that the best way to keep your platinum ring in good condition is to clean it as frequently as possible to avoid any dirt accumulation. So, if you want to wear it every day, make sure you take good care of it.
