What is Platinum 600? Is it a Real Platinum Alloy? What is its Worth?

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Platinum 600 is a platinum alloy that contains 60% pure platinum and 40% other metals. It offers the classic look of expensive platinum jewelry at a far more affordable price point compared to higher purity platinum alloys. Platinum 600 is paramagnetic unless alloyed with ferromagnetic metals like iron or nickel and you can use this to test whether you have real or fake platinum jewelry.

Platinum 600 isn’t naturally hypoallergenic due to potentially allergenic metals in the 40% non-platinum content, though it can be hypoallergenic when pure platinum is combined with non-allergenic metals like gold or silver. Platinum 600 jewelry exists but is extremely rare, with most platinum jewelry using 950-grade alloys instead.

Investment-grade platinum bullion isn’t made from this alloy.

What is Platinum 600? Is it a Real Platinum Alloy? What is its Worth?
What is Platinum 600? Is it a Real Platinum Alloy? What is its Worth?

What is Platinum 600 (Definition and Meaning)?

Platinum 600 is a platinum alloy made of 60% pure platinum and 40% other metals, such as tungsten and other metals from the platinum-group metals (palladium, ruthenium, iridium, rhodium and osmium).

Platinum 600 is a more affordable alternative to higher purity platinum alloys like platinum 950, while still offering the benefits of platinum, such as its natural white color and increased durability.

What is platinum 600 made of (composition)?
What is platinum 600 made of (composition)?

Reading my platinum 600 guide makes you a lover and connoisseur of this beautiful noble metal. Are you also a proud American citizen who likes to invest in precious metals and is worried about the economy?

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Is There Jewelry Made From Platinum 600?

Yes, there’s jewelry made from platinum 600. But it’s extremely rare. Platinum 600 has never been extensively used for jewelry design. Instead, most platinum jewelry is made from platinum 950, an alloy consisting of 95% pure platinum and 5% other metals added for strength.

Here’s some platinum 600 rings and wedding bands I found online after doing extensive research. These particular rings are made of 60% platinum and 40% tungsten and ruthenium (tungsten is one of the best scratch-resistant metals) and are marketed as platinum rings that are pretty, strong and durable.

Platinum 600 rings example.
Platinum 600 rings example.
Platinum 600 wedding rings example.
Platinum 600 wedding rings example.

Platinum 600 alloy due to its hardness is almost exclusively used for wedding bands and rings. It’s rarely or never crafted into necklaces or earrings because those pieces don’t benefit from the same durability properties (platinum 600 is too stiff for delicate, flexible chain links).

Reading my platinum 600 guide makes you a lover and connoisseur of this beautiful noble metal. Are you also a proud American citizen who likes to invest in precious metals and is worried about the economy?

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Is Platinum 600 Magnetic?

No, platinum 600 isn’t magnetic, it’s paramagnetic (slightly attracted to magnets).

Platinum 600 is paramagnetic when 60% of pure platinum is alloyed with 40% of other non-magnetic metals (gold, silver, palladium…).

Platinum 600 is magnetic when 60% of pure platinum is alloyed with 40% of ferromagnetic materials and metals like iron, cobalt, nickel and some stainless steel forms.

In that case 40% of ferromagnetic metals within the platinum alloy is enough to elicit a strong magnetic reaction from your PT600 jewelry piece.

You can use your knowledge on platinum’s magnetic properties to test your platinum 600 object for purity.

For example, platinum 600 that consists of 60% pure platinum and 40% a mixture of silver and palladium shouldn’t respond to magnets at all. It’s counterfeit platinum if it does.

Do this test before you take your platinum jewelry to a professional service for a costly appraisal.

Unfortunately, this test doesn’t work on platinum 600 made with ferromagnetic metals.

Reading my platinum 600 guide makes you a lover and connoisseur of this beautiful noble metal. Are you also a proud American citizen who likes to invest in precious metals and is worried about the economy?

Check this out next if you answered yes!

Is 600 Platinum Magnetic?
Is 600 Platinum Magnetic?

Is Platinum 600 Hypoallergenic?

No, platinum 600 isn’t hypoallergenic, it’s allergenic.

Platinum 600 contains only 60% platinum and 40% other metals, some of which potentially allergenic. For example, platinum alloyed with copper and nickel is going to cause problems in those with high sensitivity to nickel or copper.

Platinum 600 is hypoallergenic when 60% pure platinum is alloyed with 40% of other not-allergenic metals.

Good examples are gold, iridium, palladium, rhodium, silver…

Bottom line is you need to know what your platinum 600 jewelry is made of. You won’t respond to it if there’re no nickel and copper in the alloy. But this is provided you’re not allergic to palladium, silver or gold.

This is very rare though.

Does Platinum 600 Alloy Tarnish? Does it Corrode and Oxidize?

Below are all the potential tarnishing-causing substances and their dangerous effect on Platinum 600 jewelry items.

  • Chlorine. Chlorine doesn’t tarnish or corrode platinum 600 jewelry under normal conditions. However, platinum 600 contains 60% platinum mixed with other alloy metals, and this makes it less chemically inert than higher-purity platinum alloys. Prolonged exposure to concentrated chlorine solutions, hot pools, or repeated chlorine contact affects the non-platinum metals in the alloy and gradually dulls the surface finish.
  • Bleach. Bleach affects platinum 600 jewelry over extended exposure. Pure platinum is highly resistant to bleach, but the additional metals in a 600 platinum alloy react with strong oxidizing chemicals such as household bleach and change platinum 600 item’s appearance.
  • Toothpaste. Toothpaste doesn’t tarnish platinum 600, but abrasive particles in toothpaste scratch the platinum 600 item’s surface and reduce its shine. These scratches are usually cosmetic and can be removed through professional polishing.
  • Vinegar. Vinegar doesn’t tarnish or corrode platinum 600 jewelry. The mild acetic acid in household vinegar isn’t strong enough to significantly attack platinum or most alloy components under normal conditions.
  • Hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide doesn’t tarnish platinum 600. Platinum 600’s platinum content provides strong resistance to oxidation, but other metals within the alloy may react badly to hydrogen peroxide. Short-term exposure of platinum 600 to hydrogen peroxide is harmless while prolonged contact with concentrated peroxide is best avoided.
  • Lemon juice. Lemon juice doesn’t tarnish platinum 600 jewelry. The citric acid in lemon juice is weak and doesn’t easily react with platinum. However, repeated long-term exposure affects less resistant metals within the alloy and gradually blunt the finish.
  • Makeup. Makeup doesn’t chemically tarnish platinum 600, but cosmetics can leave oils, powders, and residues on the surface that make the jewelry appear dull. Regular cleaning removes these deposits and helps maintain the alloy’s shine.
  • Alcohol. Alcohol doesn’t tarnish or corrode platinum 600 jewelry under normal conditions. Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol are safe for cleaning because they don’t significantly react with platinum or its common alloy metals.
  • Water. Water doesn’t tarnish platinum 600 jewelry. The platinum content provides strong resistance to fresh water, humidity, and everyday moisture. However, saltwater and polluted water exposure gradually affects the non-platinum metals in the alloy over long periods.
  • Nitric acid. Nitric acid affects platinum 600 more than higher-purity platinum alloys. Pure platinum is highly resistant to nitric acid, but the 40% non-platinum portion of platinum 600 contains metals vulnerable to nitric acid.
  • Fire. Fire doesn’t tarnish platinum 600 as platinum has excellent heat resistance. However, extreme temperatures alter the alloy’s appearance by affecting the polish or causing oxidation of the other metals mixed with platinum.

Is There Bullion Made From Platinum 600?

No, there’s no bullion made from platinum 600. This platinum alloy contains too little pure platinum and too much other “worthless” metals to be of interest to investors.

Instead, investment-grade platinum bullion is exclusively made from 999 platinum (fine platinum).

Investment-grade platinum coins and bars are also called IRA-approved platinum bullion and it’s these coins and bars you can include as part of your platinum IRA or gold IRA.

Augusta Precious Metals is the best precious metals investment company in the USA. You can get in touch with them to buy the platinum bullion you need. With Augusta you can purchase platinum bullion to keep at your home. Or you can purchase as part of your retirement account.

Augusta Precious Metals free web conference-all your questions answered!
Augusta Precious Metals free web conference-all your questions answered!

Reading my platinum 600 guide makes you a lover and connoisseur of this beautiful noble metal. Are you also a proud American citizen who likes to invest in precious metals and is worried about the economy?

Check this out next if you answered yes!

What is the Hallmark for Platinum 600? Does it Exist?

No, an official platinum 600 hallmark doesn’t exist under widely recognized platinum hallmarking standards. Platinum hallmarks indicate purity levels like Pt850 (85.0% platinum), Pt900 (90.0% platinum), Pt950 (95.0% platinum), or Pt999 (99.9% platinum), with the number representing the parts per thousand of platinum.  These marks are found on platinum jewelry and investment products in countries that use millesimal fineness markings.

Platinum alloy containing only 600 parts per thousand (60%) platinum isn’t recognized as standard platinum jewelry fineness and isn’t hallmarked as “Pt600.” You’ll occasionally see a “600” stamp on a platinum-looking piece of jewelry. But that’s a reference to another metal standard, a manufacturer’s mark, or a non-standard stamp rather than an official platinum purity hallmark.

Below are the examples of internationally recognized platinum hallmark stamps you’ll encounter when handling platinum jewelry and other items.

Official platinum hallmarks- no platinum 600 hallmark.
Official platinum hallmarks– no platinum 600 hallmark.

How Much is Platinum 600 Worth? What is it’s Melt Value?

The melt value of platinum 600 is the worth of platinum per gram inside your platinum 600 object. And platinum 600 has 60% pure platinum inside it’s alloy.

To determine the worth of your item first you need to measure its weight. Next, multiply the weight by the platinum spot price and then by 0.60 (for 60% purity) to get the melt value.

For example, let’s say the current platinum spot price is $70 per gram. And your platinum 600 item weighs 20 grams. The exact worth of that item would be $70 x 20 x 0.60=$840.

Calculating the melt value of platinum 600.
Calculating the melt value of platinum 600.

Reading my platinum 600 guide makes you a lover and connoisseur of this beautiful noble metal. Are you also a proud American citizen who likes to invest in precious metals and is worried about the economy?

Check this out next if you answered yes!

What is Platinum 600? Is it Real? What is its Worth? Conclusion

Platinum 600 is a platinum alloy composed of 60% pure platinum and 40% other metals. It’s a more affordable but less common alternative to high-purity alloys like Platinum 950.

Jewelry made from platinum 600 looks like it’s made from solid platinum, is durable and far cheaper than jewelry made from higher-purity platinum alloys.

Platinum 600 isn’t used for investment-grade bullion and it lacks an official hallmark,

References.

Nikola Roza

Nikola Roza is the owner of Nikola Roza- Everything You Can Learn About Precious Metals. He writes for people who love precious metals and jewelry and who're interested in adding gold, silver platinum and palladium to their retirement portfolios. Nikola is passionate about gold IRAs and investing in multiple asset types for a safer financial future. He also runs a successful online jewelry store where you can buy precious metal jewelry and various replicas of famous coins and bars. Learn about Nikola here.

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