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Does platinum tarnish or not? Does it oxidize, rust and corrode?
No, pure platinum doesn’t tarnish, fade, dull or change color over time. It also doesn’t rust, corrode and oxidize.
Platinum is a non-reactive “noble” metal that can’t tarnish and discolor. However, platinum alloyed with other metals over time develops a patina, a form of oxidation that causes it to lose some of its luster and slightly discolor and become more bland.
Below are all the questions people ask about tarnishing platinum + quick answers to them.
- Does Platinum Tarnish in Water?
- Does Platinum Tarnish in Saltwater?
- Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Vinegar?
- Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Hydrogen Peroxide?
- Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Nitric Acid?
- Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Lemon Juice?
- Does Pure Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Moist Air?
- Does Pure Platinum Tarnish in Chlorine?
- Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Bleach?
- Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Makeup?
- Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Flame and Fire?
- Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Baking Soda?
- Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Toothpaste?
- Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Alcohol?
- Does Platinum Tarnish Like Silver?
- Does Platinum Vermeil (Platinum-Plated Sterling Silver) Tarnish?
- Does Platinum-Plated Brass Tarnish?
- Does Platinum Rust or Corrode?
- Does Platinum 999 Tarnish? What about Other Types of Platinum (925, 958, 900, 800)?
Table of Contents
What is Platinum Tarnish?
Platinum’s tarnish is actually a patina, a thin layer that forms on the surface of the metal due to chemical reactions with the environment. This process is slow and subtle, and it’s primarily caused by platinum’s interaction with air oxygen.
You can remove patina from platinum, although some people like the look of it and consider it elegant and a matter of prestige. In Japan, patinated platinum is treasured and symbolizes wisdom, experience, and perseverance.
Does Platinum Tarnish in Water? What about Platinum Plated Jewelry?
No, platinum doesn’t tarnish in water. Platinum is a durable precious metal that resists corrosion and oxidation, even if you submerge it in water or expose it to high humidity. Platinum tarnishes in water only when it’s alloyed with other metals that react to water.
For example, platinum alloyed with silver is vulnerable to tarnishing.
Platinum plated jewelry doesn’t tarnish when platinum plating is intact and sufficiently thick. Platinum plated jewelry tarnishes when the plating is chipped and falls off and the underlying tarnishing metal is exposed.
Silver/copper alloy plated with platinum is especially vulnerable as copper oxidizes quickly upon air exposure.
Does Platinum Tarnish in Saltwater?
No, platinum doesn’t tarnish in saltwater. Your platinum jewelry can safely go in the ocean with you.
Note: platinum doesn’t tarnish in saltwater because it’s a dense, strong noble metal that easily resist water salts.
Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Vinegar?
No, platinum doesn’t tarnish when exposed to vinegar. Vinegar can’t tarnish or discolor authentic, pure platinum.
You have fake platinum on your hands if your “pure platinum” object starts tarnishing when exposed to vinegar.
Note: people use vinegar to clean platinum jewelry, and to satisfying results.
It’s ok to clean solid platinum jewelry with vinegar as it can’t damage or tarnish it. But, avoid cleaning platinum-plated jewelry with vinegar as it’s acids cause the plating to become loose and fall off.
Especially with repeated and vigorous rubbing.
Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Hydrogen Peroxide?
No, platinum doesn’t tarnish when exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Pure platinum is a noble metal that never tarnishes and is highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation.
Platinum acts as a catalyst when it comes into contact with hydrogen peroxide. It breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, causing visible bubbles. This doesn’t damage the platinum object and it won’t change it’s appearance or chemical properties.
You can even use hydrogen peroxide to safely clean your platinum jewelry.
Note: platinum also doesn’t tarnish when exposed to hydrogen sulfide, a related substance to hydrogen peroxide.
Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Nitric Acid?
No, platinum doesn’t tarnish when exposed to nitric acid.
Platinum as a noble metal is chemically inert and resistant to tarnishing from various chemicals, including from nitric acid. However, platinum is vulnerable to aqua regia.
Aqua regia is a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid and it easily dissolves platinum objects.
Luckily, agua regia is a substance you’ll only find in a chemical lab, and not out in the open.
But, remove your platinum jewelry if you’re a chemist and working with aqua regia.
Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Lemon Juice?
No, platinum doesn’t tarnish when exposed to lemon juice.
Pure platinum is highly resistant to tarnishing due to its chemical properties. It’s not possible for lemon juice to tarnish pure platinum items.
However, don’t unnecessarily expose platinum objects to lemon juice.
Lemon juice is an abrasive substance that scratches and corrodes the surface of platinum jewelry. However, this effect happens after several hours of contact between acidic lemon juice and platinum.
A brief 2s exposure won’t to anything to platinum.
Does Pure Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Moist Air?
No, pure platinum doesn’t tarnish when exposed to moist air. Authentic platinum is a noble metal that’s highly resistant to corrosion and tarnishing due to its low reactivity with other elements, including air oxygen.
This means platinum jewelry will retain it’s shine even in humid conditions, and prolonged humid conditions too.
Does Pure Platinum Tarnish in Chlorine?
No, pure platinum doesn’t tarnish in chlorine. However, chlorine is a rare chemical strong enough to permanently damage platinum jewelry and bullion.
Platinum rings, chains, bracelets, necklaces and bullion that are less than 90–95% pure, or that’s been repaired with white gold solder will darken when exposed to chlorine.
And prolonged exposure to chlorine will make platinum look dull.
Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Bleach?
No, platinum doesn’t tarnish when exposed to bleach.
Platinum is a noble precious metal that never tarnishes, but can corrode and be damaged.
Bleach is a strong chemical that corrodes platinum, especially when you bathe your platinum jewelry or bullion in it.
Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Makeup?
No, platinum doesn’t tarnish when exposed to makeup. Platinum is a very durable precious metal and no amount of makeup powder and liquid foundation make it tarnish and lose its luster.
However, prolonged exposure of platinum jewelry to hand creams and lotions can leave a residue that will discolor your jewelry.
Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Flame and Fire?
No, platinum doesn’t tarnish when exposed to fire.
Platinum as a noble metal is highly resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Meaning it won’t tarnish or change color even at high temperatures.
Furthermore, platinum has a very high melting point (1,768°C (3,215°F), allowing it to withstand extreme heat without significant damage.
Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Baking Soda?
No, platinum doesn’t tarnish when exposed to baking soda.Â
Platinum jewelry owners use baking soda to polish their jewelry items, usually combining baking soda with water.
Platinum is extremely durable, but baking soda is abrasive and can scratch the surface of a platinum object.
Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Toothpaste?
No, platinum doesn’t tarnish when exposed to toothpaste.
Toothpaste is abrasive and can scratch platinum jewelry on prolonged exposure. Don’t use toothpaste to clean your platinum jewelry.
Does Platinum Tarnish When Exposed to Alcohol?
No, platinum doesn’t tarnish when exposed to alcohol.
Platinum as a noble metal is highly durable and inert to alcohol. Meaning alcohol neither tarnishes nor corrodes platinum-made jewelry, bullion and other objects.
Alcohol has no detrimental effect on platinum and you can use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to clean your platinum jewelry.
Does Platinum Tarnish Like Silver?
Platinum doesn’t tarnish like silver. Pure platinum is a non reactive metal and doesn’t tarnish at all. Pure silver tarnishes and in tarnishing sensitivity is completely different from platinum.
What about gold and palladium? Are They Resistant to Tarnishing Like Platinum?
Gold and palladium are similar to platinum when it comes to tarnishing. Gold doesn’t tarnish. Palladium also doesn’t tarnish.
Does Platinum Vermeil (Platinum-Plated Sterling Silver) Tarnish?
Yes, platinum vermeil tarnishes when platinum coating is damaged and sterling silver is exposed. Pure platinum never tarnishes, but sterling silver easily tarnishes when exposed to moisture, air, sunlight and harsh chemicals.
Be careful if you own damaged platinum vermeil jewelry as it will tarnish rapidly. You don’t have to worry if your jewelry is undamaged as platinum vermeil with undamaged plated doesn’t tarnish, go bland or discolor.
Does Platinum-Plated Brass Tarnish?
Yes, platinum-plated brass tarnishes.
Platinum doesn’t tarnish but brass does if the platinum coating is damaged and the metal is exposed to air, moisture, sunlight, humidity, or harsh chemicals.
Platinum-plated brass jewelry won’t tarnish if the plating is undamaged.
Does Platinum Rust or Corrode?
Platinum neither rusts nor corrodes. Platinum is a noble metal that’s highly non-reactive and resistant to corrosion and rusting.
Platinum-coated objects with metal base both rust and corrode depending on the base metal (iron and stainless steel are susceptible to tarnishing).
Does Platinum 999 Tarnish? Does it Rust, Corrode and Oxidize?
No, platinum 999 doesn’t tarnish. Platinum 999 is the only type of platinum that can’t tarnish, discolor, go bland or even develop a patina.
This is because pure platinum (fine platinum/999 platinum) isn’t alloyed with any other metal which means there’s no other metals to tarnish and ruin the look of the entre platinum object.
Note: check out Augusta Precious Metals if you want to open a platinum IRA (also gold IRA or silver IRA). Augusta Precious Metals are an excellent gold investment company that also allows you to open a precious metal IRA account.
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Does Platinum 950 Tarnish? Does it Rust, Corrode and Oxidize?
No, platinum 950 doesn’t tarnish, rust corrode and oxidize.
Platinum 950 is a platinum alloy consisting of 95% pure platinum, and 5% other metals. These other metals is a mixture of ruthenium, palladium, rhodium and copper. Copper is the only metal among these four that tarnishes. But, there’s too little copper to make a meaningful difference.
Bottom line is that any platinum 950 jewelry you own won’t tarnish or discolor provided you take good care of it (proper storage and occasional gentle polishing).
Does Platinum 900 Tarnish? Does it Rust, Corrode and Oxidize?
No, platinum 900 doesn’t tarnish, rust corrode and oxidize.
Platinum 900 is a platinum alloy consisting of 90% pure platinum, and 10% other metals. These other metals is a mixture of copper, palladium, ruthenium and rhodium.
Copper is the only metal among these four that tarnishes. But, there’s too little copper to make a meaningful difference.
Bottom line is that any platinum 900 jewelry you own won’t tarnish or discolor provided you take good care of it (proper storage and occasional gentle polishing).
Does Platinum 850 Tarnish? Does it Rust, Corrode and Oxidize?
No, platinum 850 doesn’t tarnish, rust corrode and oxidize.
Platinum 850 is a platinum alloy consisting of 85% pure platinum, and 15% other metals. These other metals is a mixture of copper, palladium, ruthenium and rhodium.
Copper is the only metal among these four that tarnishes. But, there’s too little copper to make a meaningful difference.
Bottom line is that any platinum 850 jewelry you own won’t tarnish or discolor provided you take good care of it (proper storage and occasional gentle polishing).
Does Platinum 600 Tarnish? Does it Rust, Corrode and Oxidize?
No, platinum 600 doesn’t tarnish, rust corrode and oxidize when this platinum alloy is composed of 60% platinum and 40% other non-tarnishing metals (ruthenium, palladium, iridium, rhodium…).
Platinum 600 tarnishes when this platinum alloy is composed of 60% platinum and 40% other, tarnishing metals, for example copper.
Does Platinum 500 Tarnish? Does it Rust, Corrode and Oxidize?
No, platinum 500 doesn’t tarnish, rust corrode and oxidize when this platinum alloy is composed of 50% platinum and 50% other non-tarnishing metals (ruthenium, palladium, iridium, rhodium…).
Platinum 500 tarnishes when this platinum alloy is composed of 50% platinum and 50% other, tarnishing metals, for example copper.
Does Platinum Tarnish? Does it Rust, Corrode and Oxidize? (Conclusion)?
Pure platinum is a noble metal that doesn’t tarnish, rust, corrode, or oxidize.
It maintains its shine and color even when exposed to water, saltwater, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, chlorine, bleach, makeup, fire, alcohol, and most acids.
However, platinum alloys containing other metals develop a patina over time, which some people don’t like.
Common platinum alloys like 950, 900, and 850 (containing 95%, 90%, and 85% platinum respectively) are highly resistant to tarnishing because they contain minimal copper, the primary tarnishing metal in these alloys.
Platinum-plated jewelry can tarnish if the coating chips and exposes the underlying base metal, particularly with brass or sterling silver bases.
Unlike silver, which tarnishes readily, platinum’s durability and chemical inertness make it ideal for jewelry.
Only platinum 999 (pure platinum) is completely immune to any form of tarnishing or patina development.
Resources:
- Aqua regia- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqua_regia
- Platinum Patina- https://www.reddit.com/r/EngagementRings/comments/18dgk85/platinum_patina/
- Platinum 950- https://www.qualitydiamonds.co.uk/expert-advice/buying-guides/choosing-your-setting-metal/platinum-950
- 5 Things You Need to Know about Recycling Platinum-Plated Jewelry- https://www.specialtymetals.com/blog/2014/8/19/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-recycling-platinum-plated-jewelry
- 18K Platinum Vermeil Crown of Thorn 925+Platinum & Sterling Silver Necklace Handmade Holy Bible Gift Box- https://www.etsy.com/listing/1055612401/18k-platinum-vermeil-crown-of-thorn
- 6 Round Stick Drops Platinum Plated Brass 35mm Anti Tarnish (19E911)
Import as Dropshipping
Import as Affiliate- https://www.etsy.com/listing/711565305/6-round-stick-drops-platinum-plated - Home / Jewelry / Rings / Rhapsody Platinum Wedding Court Band- https://www.tjc.co.uk/rings/limited-stock-one-time-deal—950-platinum-fine-polished-band-ring-M2604791.html
- V -shaped No. 9.5 Ring PT900 Platinum x Diamond D0.36 Stamp about 4.3g V Character Ladies SA Rank- https://shop-nishikino7.com/en/products/v-shaped-9-5-ring-ring-pt900-platinum-x-diamond-d0-36-engraved-v-character-sa-rank
- Alliance en platine, 2,90 mm.
Référence
20035855_c- https://www.damiani.com/fr_ch/platinum-wedding-band-with-diamond-2-90-mm-20035855-c - Platinum ring (850/1000) set with two old european cut diamond – Lot 88- https://www.maisonrc.com/en/lot/143853/23431551
- Platinum 600 Wedding Rings- https://kavalri.com.au/collections/platinum-600
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
