Platinum is a very rare and very expensive precious metal. It has increased steadily in value over time and, therefore, in value and selling price. I discovered an easy way to get the beauty of platinum without the high cost. I bought a ring that is made from platinum over sterling silver! This dandy little ring shines like no other and I only had to pay a fraction of the price I would have paid for a solid platinum ring. I realize that there are a few drawbacks to buying this type of ring.
Sterling silver rings are plated with a thin coat of platinum. The platinum has a high durability factor; it is very resistant to scratches and normal wear and tear. The sterling silver is a lovely match for the natural coloring of the platinum and provides a good base for the platinum to sit on. Sterling silver is also not normally too expensive. I thought the combination was a little too good to be true, so I talked to my jeweler and got the facts.
A ring made from platinum over sterling silver will eventually tarnish. This tarnish can be removed by using a homemade jewelry cleaning mixture or by taking it to a professional to be cleaned. This was not a big deal for me. But then I found out that the platinum coating can actually just wear off. If this happens, the ring will have to be coated again by a jeweler. This was the part that bothered me the most. I did not want to have to pay to have a ring coated with high priced platinum every year or two. Over a lifetime, that can really add up to some money. I weighed my decision carefully and decided to give the platinum plating a chance anyway.
