Beware: Platinum Quality Can Vary in Jewelry

Platinum quality is getting more difficult to find these days. This is not so much due to the price increase of platinum but rather because there are many unscrupulous vendors who make false and even dangerous claims about their platinum jewelry. Some of these vendors will even put laboratory-grade diamonds from other sources such as white gold or iron into platinum rings, which can cause serious health problems by exposing you to toxic substances.

To be safe when you purchase jewelry, look up the seller's company reputation on sites like Yelp or Google Reviews and find out if they are in good standing with some legal agencies such as BBB (Better Business Bureau) and with the FTC (Federal Trade Commission). If they are not in good standing with these agencies, then you should stay away from them.

So what do you do if you want a platinum ring for a special occasion or gift? Here are some tips and tricks:

1. Go to a reputable store that specializes in platinum jewelry. This will help ensure your jewelry is of high quality and the stones are genuine. It is also safer because you will know that the store staff has training in the safe handling of precious metals and jewelry as well as plenty of experience in selling platinum rings. Another advantage is that they will be able to tell you if your platinum ring is real or fake, which will save time and potential damage to your health if it is not authentic.

2. Make sure the ring you purchase is from a reputable online jewelry store. If you buy your rings on-line, make sure you read the terms and conditions of their warranty before making any purchase. It should state in plain language what type of service they provide if there is a problem with your platinum ring, such as:

1) If the ring is damaged or lost in shipment, the company will reimburse you for any shipping related expenses in its entirety.

2) If your platinum ring requires wear and tear for repairs or to restore its original appearance, they will cover that cost too.

3. Take your platinum ring to a jeweler if it needs repair. If you need to have your platinum ring repaired or polished, take it to a reputable jeweler who can perform these services. If the jeweler is experienced and reliable, they should be able to tell you if your platinum ring is real just by handling it.

If you are worried that your platinum ring does not look like what you purchased, then that means there is a problem in the manufacturing process and you should ask for a replacement. Remember, jewelry stores have return policies in place for counterfeit products so there should be little issue with getting an exchange or refund on the cost of the ring.

4. Get your jewelry appraised before buying insurance for it. If you are buying high-value jewelry that costs over $10,000, then you should invest in insurance for your platinum ring. To make sure the appraisal is accurate, bring your platinum ring to a reputable jeweler and ask them to verify its authenticity. If it is real platinum, you will see a dull metallic luster after rubbing the ring on a cloth. Buy yourself peace of mind by making sure your lifetime investment is authentic before spending money on insurance.

5. Understand what constitutes high-grade platinum. There are four grades of platinum that jewelry manufacturers use: standard or non-platinum metals, 99% platinum grade, 95% and 91%.

Conclusion: Don't be fooled by dishonest sellers or that the difference between 95% and 91% platinum is insignificant. The difference in quality is extreme. Some platinum jewelry comes from 91% and 95% which are not even pure platinum but rather a mixture of silver, copper and palladium metals that will always tarnish over time.

"The reason for the difference is mainly because of what's known as an alloying element," says David Butler, chief executive officer at Platinum Palace International. "The higher the purity, then the better the colorization. The colorization will be more saturated, so it will make your ring look more precious.