Platinum Jewellery Guide

Platinum stands as one of the most revered metals in fine jewellery, valued for its rarity, durability, and natural white hue. Unlike white gold, which requires surface treatments or frequent maintenance to keep its white hue, platinum maintains its white appearance naturally. Along with its strength, durability, and heft, platinum is a great choice of metal for heirloom-quality pieces.

Found in only a handful of places around the world, platinum is approximately 30x rarer than gold. The majority of the world’s platinum supply comes from just a few places, primarily South Africa, Russia, and parts of North America. Its limited availability, along with the challenges of extracting and refining it, does give it a relatively higher price point when compared to other metals like gold. That said, for those who are looking for quality and durability, platinum pieces remain a premier choice.

At Vena Nova, we offer one of Calgary’s largest selections of platinum-based lab-grown diamond pieces. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what makes platinum unique, how it compares to other jewellery metals, and what to consider when choosing platinum for your next piece.

What Is Platinum?

Platinum is a naturally white, dense metal that is known for its strength, durability, and purity. 

It’s one of the heaviest metals used in fine jewellery, being around 60% denser than gold. Its increased weight and density compared to gold give it a feeling of substance and luxury, which is often a key characteristic sought after for wedding bands and engagement rings.

In terms of durability, platinum resists wear really well. Due to its density, it holds its shape and structure even after decades of daily wear. Compared to gold, platinum wears differently. When gold is scratched, it loses microscopic bits, becoming thinner over time. Platinum, on the other hand, doesn’t lose material when scratched. Rather, the parts of it are displaced or pushed over.

This characteristic makes platinum a great choice for delicate pieces.

Compared to gold, prongs and settings made out of platinum are much more durable and are less likely to thin out or wear down over time, giving them a more secure and superior hold.

Like with gold, platinum jewellery is typically alloyed to help increase its hardness. Most platinum jewellery is 90-95% pure platinum, combined with other metals like ruthenium or cobalt. 

Platinum jewellery comes stamped with “PLAT” or “PT” on it to identify its composition, along with a number to designate purity per 1000 parts. So, for instance, PT999 indicates a platinum purity of 99.9% (999/1000), PT900 indicates a platinum purity of 90% (900/1000), and so forth. 

Platinum is hypoallergenic and well-suited for those with sensitive skin. Pure platinum does not corrode or tarnish. That said, in fine jewellery, even when alloyed with others, at 95% purity, platinum pieces are still extremely corrosion and tarnish resistant.

Platinum vs. White Gold

While platinum and white gold may appear similar at first glance, they differ significantly in composition, care, and long-term wear.

White gold is made by alloying yellow gold with white metals like palladium or nickel and is then coated with rhodium to achieve its bright white finish. Over time, this rhodium plating wears down, requiring reapplication to maintain its look.

Platinum, on the other hand, retains its colour throughout and doesn’t rely on plating. Its heavier weight gives it a distinct, comfortable “heft” when worn, and its density makes it excellent for holding stones securely in place. Know that, unlike white gold, platinum is prone to developing a soft surface patina with time. 

The Platinum Patina 

One of platinum’s distinguishing characteristics is the way it wears over time. Instead of scratching away, the metal simply displaces, giving platinum a broken-in, matte appearance known as patina. 

Note that the patina does have a dulling effect, but some appreciate it and view it as a badge that represents the piece’s journey through wear. 

Others may prefer the original polished shine, which can easily be restored by a jeweler through a professional polish. Whether you prefer the natural patina or the like-new finish, platinum offers versatility in its aged look.

Caring for Platinum Jewellery

Even though platinum is incredibly durable, it still needs routine maintenance to keep it at its best. Here are a few tips on how to maintain your platinum piece:

  • Cleaning: To clean your platinum piece, use warm water, detergent-free soap, and a soft toothbrush to gently clean it. Rinse your piece thoroughly and pat dry with a soft cloth.

  • Polishing: If you prefer that high gloss, white coloured look, a professional polish every few years will restore platinum’s original shine.

  • Periodic Inspections: As durable as platinum is, having your piece looked at by a professional can ensure that everything’s in proper order. Broken prongs or bent settings are both problems that need to be addressed to prevent further complications that may pop up down the road, like lost or broken gemstones.

  • Limit Chemical Exposure: Platinum pieces are extremely resistant to tarnish and corrosion. That said, harsh chemicals can still damage the finish or weaken soldered joints over time, especially since these joints are sometimes made of delicate metals during repairs or when soldering in heads. Avoid exposing your platinum jewellery to household cleaners, bleach, chlorine (especially in pools), and other abrasive substances.

  • Storage: Store your platinum pieces separately from other jewellery to prevent minor surface scratches. While it’s a durable metal, it can still be marred by contact with harder gemstones or abrasive surfaces.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a low-maintenance, premium metal that will last for generations, platinum is an excellent choice. Its natural white sheen doesn’t fade, its durability is unmatched, and its rarity makes it a prized material for custom and heirloom jewellery.

At Vena Nova in Calgary, we offer a carefully curated selection of lab-grown diamond jewellery set in platinum—combining cutting-edge sustainability with one of the most enduring metals in jewellery. Whether you're looking for a custom platinum piece or exploring your options, our team is here to help.

Visit us at Market Mall to experience first hand the expertise and service that have made us a trusted name in Canadian lab-grown diamond jewellery.