Platinum Patina: What is it and is it Reversible?

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Platinum patina…

What is it? Is it dangerous to platinum jewelry and can it be removed and reversed?

Learn it below in my guide.

Platinum Patina: What is it and is it Reversible?
Platinum Patina: What is it and is it Reversible?

What is Platinum Patina (Definition and Meaning)? Is it Reversible?

Platinum patina is the change in appearance that platinum jewelry develops over time due to wear and tear. Patinated platina has a subtle, frosted, or satiny finish that many platinum jewelry owners swear by.

When platinum jewelry is worn, it experiences microscopic scratches and abrasions. These events cause the metal’s surface atoms to condense and adopt a more dull and uniform look (patinated look).

Platinum patination is natural process that develops over time  and that you can stop and reverse at any time with some polishing and (gentle) manual scrubbing.

Here’s a patinated platinum ring as an example. Also see image below for an example of natural platinum scratches that develop with daily platinum jewelry wear.

Patinated platinum ring
Patinated platinum ring- source
Patinated platinum ring due to numerous tiny scratches
Patinated platinum ring due to numerous tiny scratches- source

Is Platinum Patina the Same as Platinum Tarnish?

No, platinum patina isn’t the same as platinum tarnish. Platinum patina is a natural, subtle change in the metal’s appearance that occurs over time due to exposure to the environment and wear and tear.

Whereas platinum tarnish is actually platinum patina. Platinum is a noble metal that doesn’t tarnish, but it does patinate and many novices to platinum jewelry mistake the two processes.

Note: it’s possible for platinum to tarnish when it’s alloyed with sterling silver. Sterling silver is nearly identical to platinum and a many times cheaper material to work with. And sterling silver is vulnerable to tarnishing.

What are Some Examples of Platinum Patina?

Here are some example of platinum patina on platinum jewelry (mostly rings).

Platinum patina example 1
Platinum patina example 1- source
Platinum patina example 2
Platinum patina example 2- source
Platinum patina example 3
Platinum patina example 3- source
Platinum patina example 4
Platinum patina example 4- source

How to Remove Patina off Platinum Jewelry?

To remove patina off platinum jewelry mix mild dish soap with warm water, soak the jewelry for a few minutes, and gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush (like a toothbrush).

After cleaning, use a soft, lint-free cloth to dry and polish the jewelry.  Some people add a few drops of ammonia to the soapy water for extra cleaning power, but use caution and ensure thorough rinsing as you don’t want ammonia to discolor your platinum jewelry.

Note: platinum is a dense metal, so removing deep scratches or significant patina will require professional intervention. I suggest you try to remove patina from your platinum jewelry manually, and then go to  professional jewelry if you fail.

Platinum Patina: What is it and Reversible? Conclusion

 

 

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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.

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