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Does platinum tarnish or not?
Pure platinum doesn’t tarnish, fade, dull or change color over time. Platinum is a non-reactive “noble” metal that can’t tarnish. However, platinum over time develops a patina, which is a form of oxidation that causes it to lose some luster and change color slightly.
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 oxygen in the air.
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, platinum patina is treasured and symbolizes wisdom, experience, and perseverance.
Does Platinum Tarnish in Water?
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.
Does Platinum Tarnish in Saltwater?
No, platinum also doesn’t tarnish in saltwater. Your platinum jewelry can safely go in the ocean with you.
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.
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.
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 that easily dissolves platinum objects.
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.
Platinum objects shouldn’t be exposed to lemon juice.
Lemon juice is an abrasive substance that can scratch and corrode the surface of platinum jewelry. However, this effect happens after several hours of contact between acidic lemon juice and 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 as well.
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.
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 can corrode 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 can 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.
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.
Does Platinum Rust or Corrode?
Platinum neither rusts nor corrodes. Platinum is a noble metal that is highly non-reactive and resistant to corrosion and rusting.
Platinum-coated objects with metal base both rust and corrode depending on the base metal.
Does Platinum 999 Tarnish? What about Other Types of Platinum (925, 958, 900, 800)?
No, platinum 999 doesn’t tarnish. It’s the purest and most expensive form of this precious metal. Platinum bullion that’s IRA approved is made of 999 platinum.
Note: check out Birch Gold Group if you want to open a platinum IRA (also gold IRA or silver IRA). Birch Gold Group are an excellent gold investment company that also allow you to open a precious metal IRA account.
Alternative to BGG are Augusta Precious Metals. But Augusta don’t sell platinum bullion. They only sell authentic gold and authentic silver to precious metal investors.
No, platinum 958 doesn’t tarnish. This platinum type is nearly 100% pure platinum and is immune to tarnishing effect almost to the same degree as platinum 999 (the purest form of this noble metal).
No, platinum 900 doesn’t tarnish. 900 platinum is an alloy that’s 90% platinum and 10% other metals. Pure platinum never tarnishes and the remaining 10% of other metals in the alloy isn’t enough to cause tarnishing.
No, platinum 800 doesn’t tarnish when 80% of platinum is alloyed with 20% of some other non-tarnishing metal. A good example is platinum alloyed with gold.
Platinum 800 tarnishes when 80% of platinum is alloyed with 20% of some other metal that’s susceptible to tarnishing. A good example is platinum alloyed with sterling silver which gives platinum sterling.
Does Platinum Tarnish or Not (Conclusion)?
Pure platinum never tarnishes. It’s a noble precious metals that can’t be tarnished by water, oxygen, alcohol, or any type of acid.
Platinum jewelry can tarnish if the jewelry items are only platinum-coated with base metal susceptible to tarnishing.
Resources:
- https://www.etsy.com/listing/711565305/6-round-stick-drops-platinum-plated
- 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
- Aqua regia- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqua_regia
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.
