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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 alloy 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 can be palladium, iridium copper, or other platinum group metals (PGMs). These metals are added to enhance the alloy’s properties, such as durability and workability for jewelry making.
Platinum 850 isn’t as pure as platinum 950 or even platinum 900, but it’s still considered a high-quality platinum alloy that’s also more affordable that platinum 900 and 950.
Is Platinum 850 Magnetic?
No, 850 platinum isn’t magnetic, but 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 (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. Meaning it’s safe for most people to wear platinum jewelry or platinum-plated jewelry.
The reason platinum 850 isn’t allergenic is because platinum, iridium and palladium are all 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.
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 also called IRA-approved platinum bullion and it’s these coins and bars you can include as part of your gold IRA or platinum IRA account.
Note: 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 coins and bars to keep at your home. Or you can purchase as part of your new platinum IRA account that Augusta will help 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.
Hey, reading so intently my platinum 850 guide makes you a lover and connoisseur of this beautiful precioul metal.
Are you also a proud American citizen who wants to invest in precious metals?
Check this out next if you answered yes!
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 600 object.
To determine the worth of your platinum 850 item 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.
Note: platinum 850 is made from 85% and 15% of other metals. Those 15% can be made from an inexpensive base metal like copper. Or it could be made 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’s spot prices.
Just apply the same formula as I shown you above, but substitute the weight of platinum for iridium, and multiply by 0.15 instead by 0.85.
Hey, reading so intently my platinum 850 guide makes you a lover and connoisseur of this beautiful precioul metal.
Are you also a proud American citizen who wants to invest in precious metals?
Check this out next if you answered yes!
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.
