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Platinum 850 is a platinum alloy containing 85% pure platinum and 15% other metals like palladium or copper. Platinum 850 is less pure than platinum 950 or 900, but it’s still a high-quality, more affordable option for jewelry making. This alloy is paramagnetic (not magnetic), hypoallergenic, and offers good durability and scratch resistance.
The value of platinum 850 equals the spot price of platinum per gram at the moment of selling. This platinum alloy is commonly used in fine jewelry where it’s marked with “850 Plat” or “850 Pt” hallmarks. Investment-grade platinum bullion uses only platinum 999, not 850.
What is Platinum 850 (Definition and Meaning)?
Platinum 850 is a platinum alloy that consists of 85% pure platinum and 15% other metals. These other metals are palladium, iridium, copper and other platinum group metals (PGMs). They’re added to enhance the alloy’ durability and workability for jewelry making.
Platinum 850 isn’t as pure as platinum 950 or platinum 900, but it’s still considered a high-quality platinum alloy that’s more affordable that platinum 900 and 950.
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Is Platinum 850 Magnetic?
No, 850 platinum isn’t magnetic, it’s paramagnetic.
85% pure platinum within the alloy is enough to make an entire object paramagnetic. This is especially true when platinum is alloyed with some other paramagnetic metals or diamagnetic metals like gold, silver, palladium, rhodium, iridium…
850 platinum becomes magnetic when 85% of pure platinum is alloyed with 15% of ferromagnetic materials and metals like iron, cobalt, nickel and some stainless steel forms.
In that case 15% of ferromagnetic metals within the alloy is enough to elicit a strong magnetic reaction, especially if you point a powerful magnet at your PT850 jewelry piece.
Is Platinum 850 Hypoallergenic?
Yes, 850 platinum is hypoallergenic. It’s safe for most people to wear platinum jewelry or platinum-plated jewelry. Platinum 850 isn’t allergenic because platinum, iridium and palladium are noble metals unlikely to react with the human skin.
However, platinum allergies exist and it’s possible to be allergic to this precious metal, especially if you have hyper sensitive skin or in reality you have jewelry made from fake platinum. Platinum 850 made with copper (in the remaining 15% of the alloy) is allergenic to people with copper sensitivities.
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Check this out next once you’re done reading!
Does Platinum 850 Alloy Tarnish? Does it Corrode and Oxidize?
Below are all the potential tarnishing-causing substances and their effects on Platinum 850 jewelry items.
- Chlorine. Chlorine doesn’t tarnish and corrode platinum 850 jewelry under normal conditions. Platinum 850 contains 85% platinum, making it significantly more corrosion-resistant than lower-purity platinum alloys. However, prolonged exposure to highly concentrated chlorine solutions, hot chlorinated water, or industrial chlorine chemicals gradually dulls the polished finish and affects the 15% alloy metals over time.
- Bleach. Bleach doesn’t tarnish platinum 850, but prolonged or repeated exposure to household bleach and other strong oxidizing chemicals discolors and oxidizes the alloy metals. This reduces the jewelry’s luster.
- Toothpaste. Toothpaste doesn’t tarnish platinum 850, but many toothpaste formulas contain mild abrasives that scratch the surface and reduce its shine. These fine scratches that professional polishing easily removes.
- Vinegar. Vinegar doesn’t tarnish and corrode platinum 850 jewelry. Household vinegar contains weak acetic acid that has little effect on platinum or its common alloy metals during normal, short-term exposure.
- Hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide doesn’t tarnish platinum 850. Platinum is highly resistant to oxidation, and occasional exposure is harmless. However, prolonged exposure to concentrated hydrogen peroxide gradually affects some of the alloy metals, so extended soaking isn’t recommended.
- Lemon juice. Lemon juice doesn’t tarnish platinum 850 jewelry. The citric acid found in lemons is too weak to attack platinum significantly. Long-term, repeated exposure slowly dulls the surface by affecting certain alloy metals, but permanent corrosion is unlikely.
- Makeup. Makeup doesn’t chemically tarnish platinum 850. Cosmetics, lotions, and skin oils leave residue on the jewelry that makes it appear dull or dirty. Regular cleaning restores the metal’s natural brightness.
- Alcohol. Alcohol doesn’t tarnish or corrode platinum 850 jewelry. Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol don’t react significantly with platinum or its alloy metals and are safe for occasional cleaning.
- Water. Water doesn’t tarnish platinum 850 jewelry. Fresh water, humidity, and normal moisture exposure don’t harm the alloy. However, prolonged exposure to saltwater or chemically contaminated water eventually affects the alloy metals and reduces the polished appearance if the jewelry isn’t cleaned afterward.
- Nitric acid. Nitric acid has little effect on pure platinum, but it can attack some of the alloy metals present in platinum 850. While the alloy is considerably more resistant than lower-purity platinum alloys, concentrated nitric acid should still be avoided because it may damage the non-platinum components.
- Fire. Fire doesn’t tarnish platinum 850 because platinum has an extremely high melting point and excellent heat resistance. However, exposure to very high temperatures dulls the polish, discolors the alloy metals through oxidation, or alter the jewelry’s finish, requiring professional refinishing.
Is There Bullion Made From Platinum 850?
No, there’s no bullion made from 850 platinum. Instead, investment-grade platinum bullion is exclusively made from fine platinum (.999 platinum). Investment-grade platinum coins and bars are called IRA-approved platinum bullion and it’s these coins and bars you can include as part of your gold IRA or platinum IRA.
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With Augusta you can purchase platinum coins and bars to keep at your home. Or you can purchase as part of your new platinum IRA that Augusta helped you open.
Is There Jewelry Made From Platinum 850?
Yes, there’s jewelry made from 850 platinum. This platinum alloy is a popular choice for fine jewelry due to its relatively high purity, durability, and resistance to tarnish.
Platinum 850 has 10% less platinum than platinum 950, a gold standard for platinum jewelry design. But it’s still considered a high purity platinum alloy where the remaining 15% within the alloy don’t take much from platinum’s shine and elegance, but provide ample additional strength, durability and scratch resistance.
What is the Hallmark for Platinum 850?
The hallmark for platinum 850 is either “850 Plat” or “850 Pt”. The numbers “850” represent the purity (850 parts per thousand) and “Plat” or “Pt” is the abbreviation for platinum.
The “dog head” platinum hallmark exists and is used on platinum-made items with a minimum purity of 850 parts per thousand (‰). Introduced in 1912, the “dog head facing right” is a common hallmark in the French hallmarking system used to stamp platinum objects that weigh 3gr or more.
My platinum 850 guide is a fascinating read. Are you a proud American citizen who likes to invest in precious metals and is worried about the economy?
Check this out next once you’re done reading!
How Much is Platinum 600 Worth? What is it’s Melt Value?
The melt value of platinum 850 is the worth of platinum per gram from your platinum 850 object. To determine its worth first you need to measure its weight. Next, multiply the weight by the platinum spot price and then by 0.85 (for 85% purity) to get the melt value.
For example, let’s say the current platinum spot price is $72 per gram. And your platinum 850 item weighs 22 grams. The exact worth of that item would be $72 x 22 x 0.85=$1346.4.
Platinum 850 is made from 85% and 15% of other metals. 15% can come from an inexpensive base metal like copper. Or it can come from a precious noble metal like iridium or palladium.
In the latter case you can also melt and sell the iridium and palladium portion based on iridium and palladium spot prices. Apply the same formula as I shown you above, but substitute the weight of platinum for iridium or palladium, and multiply by 0.15 instead by 0.85.
My platinum 850 guide is a fascinating read. Are you a proud American citizen who likes to invest in precious metals and is worried about the economy?
Check this out next once you’re done reading!
What is Platinum 850? Conclusion
Platinum 850 is a high-quality platinum alloy consisting of 85% pure platinum and 15% other metals like palladium or copper. It’ s widely used in fine jewelry for its durability, scratch resistance, and affordability compared to purer platinum grades like 900 and 950 platinum. Platinum 850 is hypoallergenic and paramagnetic and isn’t used for producing investment-grade bullion.
References.
- How to Identify Quality in Platinum Rings- https://www.wikihow.com/Identify-Quality-in-Platinum-Rings
- Platinum 850 Box Chain Necklace 1.9g, 18″ Adjustable- https://www.platinum1911.com/shop/b9229tpnuv/platinum-850-box-chain-necklace-1-9g-18-adjustable
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.
