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Does platinum rust? Does it corrode?
No, platinum doesn’t rust. It also doesn’t corrode.
Platinum is resistant to corrosion because it’s a noble metal that doesn’t react with common atmospheric elements like oxygen, moisture, or sulfur compounds.
What about platinum jewelry? Does it rust, corrode and oxidize?
Learn it below and use the jump links to move around the article faster.
- Does Platinum Tarnish?
- Does Platinum Bullion Rust?
- Does Platinum Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Water?
- Does Platinum Corrode When Exposed to Moist Air?
- Does Platinum Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Toothpaste?
- Does Platinum Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Lemon Juice?
- Does Platinum Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Flame or Fire?
- Does Platinum Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Baking Soda?
- Does Platinum Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Vinegar?
- Are Different Types of Platinum Susceptible to Rust and Corrosion?
Note: here’s an awesome quiz about platinum rust and corrosion based on this post. Take it after you’ve read the article. It’ll help you permanently remember everything you need to know about this topic.
Table of Contents
Does Platinum Tarnish?
No, Platinum doesn’t tarnish. Platinum as a noble metal is highly resistant to discoloration of any kind. However, platinum over time develops a patina, which is a form of oxidation that causes it to lose some luster and change color slightly.
Here’s an example of platinum patina.
You can clearly see the discoloration on the ring. But again, it’s not true tarnish, nor is it rust, and it can be easily cleaned by a professional jeweler.
Does Platinum Bullion Rust?
No, platinum bullion doesn’t rust. Platinum-made coins and bars can’t rust because platinum as a noble metal is chemically inert and resistant to rusting, (oxidizing) tarnishing and other discoloration effects.
Platinum you can own as part of your gold IRA and silver IRA accounts is especially resistant to rusting. It’s because IRA-eligible platinum has to be exceedingly pure (at least 99.95% pure) and pure platinum is immune to rusting.
Fake platinum bullion and jewelry can rust if platinum is alloyed with iron. It can also corrode when pure platinum is alloyed with a corrosion-prone metals like nickel and copper.
Note: the two best gold IRA companies in the US are Augusta Precious Metals and Birch Gold Group.
Augusta sell authentic gold and bullion to American investors who can afford their services (minimum investment is $50 000).
Birch Gold Group are more affordable with a much lower minimum investment requirement of just $10 000.
Does Platinum Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Water?
No, platinum doesn’t rust and corrode when exposed to water. Platinum as a noble metal is resistant to any effect water might have on it.
Water can’t discolor pure platinum but you can use water to test for platinum’s authenticity.
Note: saltwater also can’t corrode and oxidize pure platinum jewelry and bullion. Meaning it’s safe to wear platinum jewelry when swimming in the ocean.
Pure platinum is also resistant to chlorinated water. But objects (for example jewelry) made partly of platinum and partly of some other metal (examples are iron, steel, stainless steel, nickel, copper, brass, bronze, and lead) are more prone to corrosion and permanent damage.
Does Platinum Corrode When Exposed to Moist Air?
No, platinum doesn’t corrode when exposed to moist air. Air moisture doesn’t affect platinum because platinum doesn’t readily react with oxygen and moisture.
This means it’s safe to wear platinum jewelry in a steam sauna, especially since you’ll never spend too much time in such a humid environment.
Keep in mind that only pure platinum is resistant to air moisture. Platinum alloyed with some other metal might be susceptible to corrosion from air moisture, depending on the other metal and its chemical properties.
Does Platinum Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Toothpaste?
No, platinum neither rusts nor corrodes when exposed to toothpaste. Toothpaste is abrasive, but pure platinum is resistant to it.
However, don’t use toothpaste to clean your platinum jewelry because the abrasive particles in toothpaste will leave small scratches in it and over time this will chemically weaken your platinum and cause it to tarnish and discolor.
Does Platinum Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Lemon Juice?
No, platinum doesn’t rust or corrode when exposed to lemon juice. Lemon juice is highly acidic, but pure platinum is resistant to it.
However, don’t try and use lemon juice to clean your platinum jewelry. The acid will leave tiny scratches on the surface of platinum items which will over time lead to discoloration and tarnishing.
Does Platinum Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Flame or Fire?
No, platinum doesn’t rust and corrode when exposed to flame or big fires. Platinum as a noble metal is highly resistant to fire and only extremely hot temperatures (1,768 °C (3,214 °F)) are able to melt this precious metal.
Note: house fires are obviously a bad thing, but the good news is that pure platinum jewelry and bullion will not perish in the fire (in a typical house fire, temperatures can range from 1,000 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 to 1,093 degrees Celsius)).
Does Platinum Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Baking Soda?
No, platinum neither rusts nor corrode when exposed to baking soda. Baking soda is abrasive but the abrasive particles can’t permanently damage the surface of a pure platinum object, especially on a short term exposure.
Long term platinum exposure to baking soda is different because the abrasiveness will cause plenty of small scratches to form and this will lead to tarnishing and discoloration down the line.
Don’t combine platinum and baking soda under any circumstances and you’ll be fine.
Does Platinum Rust and Corrode When Exposed to Vinegar?
No, platinum doesn’t rust and corrode when exposed to vinegar. Vinegar is mildly acidic and the acetic acid can’t harm or discolor pure platinum in any way.
Bleach and Nitric Acid are other common chemicals and substances found in kitchens. And neither bleach nor nitric acid are able to rust and corrode genuine, real platinum.
Are Different Types of Platinum Susceptible to Rust and Corrosion?
The common type of platinum are:
- 999 Platinum– this is the purest form of platinum (99.9% pure), and it’s often used in jewelry and bullion. For example, IRA-eligible platinum is made of 999 Platinum. 999 Platinum is completely resistant to rust and corrosion.
- 950 Platinum: This is a common grade, containing 95% platinum and 5% other metals (often iridium, ruthenium, or cobalt). 950 Platinum is highly resistant to corrosion and rust, and the 5% of other metal in the alloy is susceptible to rusting and corrosion, depending on the metal.
- 900 Platinum: This grade contains 90% platinum and 10% other metals. 900 Platinum is highly resistant to corrosion and rust, and the 10% of other metal in the alloy is susceptible to corrosion and rusting, depending on the metal.
- 850 Platinum: This grade contains 85% platinum and 15% other metals. 850 Platinum is highly resistant to corrosion and rust, and the 15% of other metal in the alloy is susceptible to corrosion and rusting, depending on the metal. 850 Platinum is the most susceptible to corrosion and oxidation among all other types of platinum I covered above.
Does Platinum Rust or Not (Conclusion)?
Pure platinum doesn’t rust. It also doesn’t corrode and oxidize.
If you have questions LMK in the comment section below.
References:
- Does Platinum Tarnish or Rust?- https://www.bullionbypost.co.uk/index/platinum/does-platinum-tarnish/
- Does platinum corrode?- https://www.quora.com/Does-platinum-corrode
- The Resilience of Platinum: Does Platinum Tarnish?- https://learn.apmex.com/learning-guide/science/does-platinum-tarnish/
- Metals that don’t rust – Ideas & Advice- https://www.metals4u.co.uk/blog/metals-that-do-not-rust
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.
