Platinum Testing for Dummies

Acid testing for precious metal

Just about everybody consults the internet every day for information that used to be buried in the reference stacks at the local library. For instance, our staffers recently googled the origin of the name of Indiana's Cardinal Greenway, while another wondered whether there had once been steel mills in Erie, Pennsylvania. Both of them know better than to believe anything in a Leaf Group niche site, though. Pity the poor fool who wants to know "How to Tell If a Ring is Platinum" and ends up reading the Leaf.tv post by Tucker Cummings.

Once again, this foodie and business writer stepped out of her comfort zone and into science (she holds two BA degrees – need we say more?). The question's pretty basic, and there are some easy checks even a halfwit can perform:

"Examine the interior of the band. In some cases, there will be a stamp that reveals the composition of the ring, whether it be gold, silver, or platinum. If the ring stamp reads "Pt" or "Plat," it contains platinum. If Pt is followed by other letters, this means it is an alloy."

Yup, Cummings is right... though it would help if Tucker had said something about what stamps are present for gold... This claim, however, is utter bull:

"Compare the ring with a gold ring of similar design. A true platinum ring will feel far more heavy in the palm of your hand."

Pure platinum's density is about 10% higher than that of 24K gold: can you tell the difference between 27 and 30 grams by hefting them in "the palm of your hand"? Of course you can't! Then there's

"Consider the price of the ring. Platinum is more expensive than gold or silver."

Ignorant twit, the OQ either has no idea of the price or doesn't trust the seller. How's that "suggestion" going to help? And finally, Cummings suggests that you,

"Have the ring appraised by a jeweler or appraiser." Well gee, that's a lot of help to people who want to know how to test the ring themselves... In reality, there are chemical tests using acid(s) that will show you whether or not a piece is platinum. The acid in question is aqua regia. We're not going to tell you how, but there's a wealth of information on the internet (research again!) about "chemical testing for platinum." Too bad our Dumbass of the Day didn't research the question a bit more carefully...

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