How to distinguish platinum from silver

When buying gold and silver jewelry, it is necessary for people to understand the relevant knowledge in this regard and learn how to identify them. For example, platinum and silver are often confused by consumers. The reason why consumers confuse them is mainly because the colors of both are grayish white. How to distinguish platinum from silver? Here we will introduce to you the specific methods of distinction.

There are five ways to distinguish platinum from silver, which are described as follows:

Comparison method: Platinum appears grayish white to the naked eye, has a relatively hard texture, and has a hardness of 4.3. To the naked eye, silver appears pure white, has a relatively fine and smooth texture, and is less hard than platinum, with a hardness of 2.7.

Identification seal: Since each piece of jewelry must be engraved with the composition seal, so if you see Pt, Platinum, or Plat, it is platinum; if you see S, or Silver, it is silver. Also, note the symbol for silver-plated copper, it is SF.

Weighing: This method can be used if the seal is blurred or has been cut off. Platinum has a high density, with a specific gravity of 21.4 kg/m3, while the specific gravity of silver is 10.49 kg/m3. In this way, the same volume of silver weighs only half of platinum, and the two can be easily distinguished by comparison.

Cremation identification: Sometimes there is less material, the weight of which cannot be felt in the hand, and there is no seal, so this method is the only option. When platinum is heated or burned and cooled, its color does not change; but when silver is heated or burned and cooled, its color becomes a moist red or dark red.

Chemical method: Grind the platinum on a touchstone and drop a few drops of a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid. If there are wear marks, it means it is platinum. As for the quality, there is only some difference in color. If this liquid is dropped on silver, the wear marks will dissolve.

Precautions

Pure platinum is high-purity platinum. The theoretical purity should reach 100%, but in reality, gold is not pure and platinum is not enough platinum. The purity of pure platinum is always less than 100%.

Pure platinum is relatively soft in texture and is limited in strength when used to make platinum jewelry. It is usually made into pure platinum jewelry without gemstones. The techniques include various platinum rings, necklaces, earrings and brooches.