Platinum is a precious metal that is in great demand among jewelry lovers. The price per gram of such material reaches fabulous amounts. And it is not surprising that the market is awash with fakes. Skilled businessmen give silver and alloys for this metal. Therefore, it is important to know how to determine platinum at home.
Jewelry Testing
Check the authenticity of the metal should be in the store. Of course, "by sight" platinum can not be determined, but still there are nuances that will help to avoid fake. The main rule is the purchase of products in jewelry stores and salons, fearing for their reputation.
In such places, sellers are not interested in selling counterfeit goods. Therefore, each ring or pendant undergoes a thorough check, in which they determine the red border for platinum. A similar laboratory test instantly shows the authenticity of the metal. But to repeat it at home, alas, is impossible.
When buying products, pay attention to their size. Jewelry made of platinum is practically never massive. This is due to the high price and rarity of the metal. Therefore, if you are offered large earrings or a bracelet, then you should be wary - this is a fake.
Another way to determine the authenticity of platinum in the store is to hold the product in your hands for half a minute. If the metal has remained cold from touching the body, it means that you have real jewelry.
Evaluate product quality
Carefully inspect the jewelry. It must have a marking responsible for the authenticity of the metal. In addition, there is a test on products with platinum. This material is characterized by the following values:
If the marking with the breakout is not clearly visible or other numbers are indicated, then refuse the purchase. Before you is 100% fake.
Another way to determine platinum when buying is to inspect the product itself. Since such jewelry is expensive, there are no defects or flaws in them, because only professional jewelers work with platinum. Therefore, "hack" should alert you.
Do not forget to look at the shine of the metal. The noble material is characterized by pure shine of white color. Silver, even high-grade, has a gray tint. This is noticeable when comparing two jewelry.
How to determine platinum at home: "royal vodka"
This liquid consists of concentrated sulfuric and nitric acid, mixed in a ratio of one to three. Such a solution dissolves all metals except platinum. Therefore, if you lower the product from this noble material into “royal vodka”, then nothing will happen to it.
Ammonia
It’s not easy to get “royal vodka”. But this substance is easily replaced by liquid ammonia. When interacting with metals, it leaves black marks on the surface. But with platinum this does not happen. If you put a little ammonia on the product, and there were no traces on it, then calm down - this is natural metal.
Iodine solution
One effective way to determine platinum at home is to act on the metal with this substance. When interacting with iodine, a dark spot will remain on the genuine product. Moreover, the darker it is, the higher the metal sample. After checking, immediately remove the substance from the jewelry, otherwise it is difficult to wipe it off later.
Experience with salt
This method, how to determine platinum, will appeal to those who love experiments. Carry out the experiment as follows:
- Pour concentrated brine into a tin can.
- Dip the product in liquid.
- Connect the jewelry to the plus of the battery, and to the minus the jar itself.
- Examine the result of the study.
If a precipitate precipitates in a solution and the liquid becomes cloudy, then this is 100% counterfeit. After real platinum, the solution remains clear, but chlorine is released as a result of the reaction. You will recognize this volatile substance by its characteristic odor.
Magnet
Like other noble metals, platinum is immune to the magnet. If metal is attracted to an object, then this is a fake. This method does not guarantee a 100% result, because silver, which is often given out as platinum, is also immune to the magnet. And to spill these metals, you need to conduct other tests. You will learn about them in the next chapter.
How to distinguish platinum from silver
The cost of these precious metals is very different. Therefore, some "craftsmen" often sell silver under the guise of platinum. To distinguish between these two metals, such methods will help:
- Color. The hue of platinum is lighter than that of silver. Moreover, it does not fade or darken.
- Weight. Platinum is a very heavy material, and silver is not very heavy.
- Check "on the tooth." Platinum is a dense material and cannot be bitten or scratched. If the metal succumbed to any mechanical impact, then this is a silver product.
- Density. To find out this parameter, lower the product into a vessel with water and measure the volume of displaced fluid. Divide the result by the mass of jewelry. The result is 21.45. This result says that you have platinum. But the figure 10.5 means silver.
- Heating. Platinum is a refractory metal; even high temperatures are not afraid of it. Therefore, without fear, bring the product to an open flame. If the metal does not melt, then you have platinum in front of you. But silver is much more susceptible to temperature.
If you purchased a jewelry, and its authenticity is doubtful, then, of course, it is better to refer it to a jeweler. If this is not possible, then check the metal at home, using the tests given in the material. But keep in mind that such experiments do not guarantee a 100% result. Although they will reveal an outright fake.