Platinum is a precious metal that is in great demand among jewelry lovers. The price per gram of such material reaches fabulous sums. And it is not surprising that the market is flooded with fakes. Skillful businessmen give out silver and alloys for this metal. Therefore, it is important to know how to determine platinum at home.
Checking Jewelry
You should check the authenticity of the metal in the store. Of course, platinum cannot be determined “by eye”, but there are still nuances that will help to avoid fakes. The main rule is to buy products in jewelry stores and salons that fear for their reputation.
In such places, sellers are not interested in selling counterfeit goods. Therefore, each ring or pendant undergoes a thorough check, in which the red border for platinum is determined. A similar laboratory test instantly shows the authenticity of the metal. But, alas, it is impossible to repeat it at home.
When buying products, pay attention to their size. Jewelry made of platinum is almost never massive. This is due to the high price and rarity of the metal. Therefore, if you are offered large earrings or a bracelet, then you should beware - this is a fake.
Another way to determine the authenticity of platinum in a store is to hold the item in your hands for half a minute. If the metal remains cold from touching the body, then you have a real piece of jewelry in front of you.
Assessing the quality of the product
Carefully inspect the jewelry. It must have a marking that is responsible for the authenticity of the metal. In addition, there is a test on products with platinum. This material is characterized by the following values:
- 850.
- 900.
- 950.
- 999.
If the markings with the breakdown are not clearly stamped or other numbers are indicated, then refuse to purchase. Before you 100% fake.
Another way to identify platinum when buying is to inspect the item itself. Since such jewelry is expensive, there is no marriage or flaws in them, because only professional jewelers work with platinum. Therefore, "hack-work" should alert you.
Don't forget to look closely at the sheen of the metal. The noble material is characterized by a pure white luster. Silver, even high-grade silver, has a gray tint. This is noticeable when comparing two pieces of jewelry.
How to determine platinum at home: aqua regia
This liquid consists of concentrated sulfuric acid and nitric acid mixed inratio of one to three. Such a solution dissolves all metals except platinum. Therefore, if you put a product made of this noble material into aqua regia, nothing will happen to it.
Ammonia
Getting "aqua regia" is not easy. But this substance is easily replaced by liquid ammonia. When interacting with metals, it leaves black marks on the surface. But this is not the case with platinum. If you put a little ammonia on the product, and there are no traces left on it, then calm down - this is a natural metal.
Iodine solution
One of the effective ways to determine platinum at home is to influence the metal with this substance. When interacting with iodine, a dark spot will remain on a genuine product. Moreover, the darker it is, the higher the sample of the metal. After checking, immediately remove the substance from the jewelry, otherwise it will be difficult to wipe off later.
S alt experiment
This way to determine platinum will appeal to those who love experiments. Experiment as follows:
- Pour brine into a tin.
- Dip the product in the liquid.
- Connect the decoration to the plus of the battery, and the jar itself to the minus.
- Study the research result.
If a precipitate precipitated in the solution, and the liquid turned cloudy, then you have 100% counterfeit. After real platinum, the solution remains transparent, but chlorine is released as a result of the reaction. You will recognize this volatile substance by its characteristic smell.
Magnet
Like other precious metals, platinum is immune to magnets. If the metal is attracted to the object, then you have a fake. This method does not guarantee a 100% result, because silver, which is often given out as platinum, is also immune to a magnet. And to pour these metals, you need to do other tests. You will learn about them in the next chapter.
How to tell platinum from silver
The value of these precious metals is very different. Therefore, some "craftsmen" often sell silver under the guise of platinum. The following methods will help to distinguish between these two metals:
- Color. The shade of platinum is lighter than that of silver. In addition, it does not fade or darken.
- Weight. Platinum is a very heavy material, and silver is not very heavy.
- Tooth check. Platinum is a dense material and cannot be bitten or scratched. If the metal succumbed to any mechanical impact, then you have a silver product.
- Density. To find out this parameter, lower the product into a vessel with water and measure the volume of the displaced liquid. Divide the result by the mass of the decoration. You will get a value equal to 21.45. This result says that you have platinum in front of you. But the number 10, 5 means silver.
- Heating. Platinum is a refractory metal, it is not afraid of even high temperatures. Therefore, do not hesitate to bring the product to an open flame. If the metal does not melt, then you have platinum in front of you. But silver is much faster to acttemperature.
If you have purchased a piece of jewelry, and its authenticity is in doubt, then, of course, it is better to take it to a jeweler. If this is not possible, then check the metal at home using the tests given in the material. But keep in mind that such experiments do not guarantee a 100% result. Although they will reveal an outright fake.
