Most platinum jewelry is stamped PLAT, PT or 950 and is 85% to 95% platinum. Weigh it without stones, enter the weight and purity in the platinum calculator, and expect an offer that is a share of that melt value.
Why platinum is different
Platinum is a white, heavy precious metal used mostly for wedding bands, engagement rings and fine chains. Unlike gold, platinum jewelry is usually made with a very high share of pure metal. A platinum ring is often 90% or 95% platinum, while 14K gold is only 58.5% gold.
Platinum is also dense. A platinum ring weighs noticeably more than the same ring in gold, so a small piece can hold more metal than it looks.
The price of platinum moves on its own, separate from gold. Some years it costs more per ounce than gold, other years less. The platinum calculator uses the current price.
How to read platinum stamps
Look inside the band or on the clasp. US rules from the FTC’s Jewelry Guides say how platinum should be marked:
| Stamp | What it means |
|---|---|
| PLATINUM, PLAT or PT (alone) | At least 95% platinum |
| 950PT or 950PLAT | 95% platinum |
| 900PT or 900PLAT | 90% platinum |
| 850PT or 850PLAT | 85% platinum |
| 600PT 350IR (or similar) | 60% platinum plus 35% iridium; other platinum-group metals listed by number |
| 585PT 415CO (or similar) | 58.5% platinum, 41.5% cobalt |
“Platinum-group metals” are platinum and its close relatives: iridium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium and osmium. Some platinum jewelry is mixed with these. Palladium has its own market price, so ask whether a buyer pays for it in a mixed piece.
The last row matters most. Under the FTC rules, an item with less than 85% platinum, like “585 Pt 415 Co,” should show its full mix, and the seller should explain that it may not behave like traditional platinum. Only the platinum share counts toward its platinum value.
Older pieces and jewelry made outside the US may use other marks. If you’re not sure, have it tested.
Platinum or white gold?
White gold and platinum look almost the same. Here’s how to tell them apart:
- The stamp. White gold is stamped with a karat, such as 14K or 585. Platinum has PT, PLAT or a number like 950 with PT.
- The weight. Platinum feels heavy for its size.
- Wear. White gold is often plated with rhodium, a bright white metal. When that plating wears thin, a yellowish tint can show through. Platinum stays gray-white all the way through.
Some rings mix the two: an 18K gold band with a small platinum part holding the diamond, for example. Ask the buyer how they will price a mixed piece. For more, see is white gold or rose gold worth less?.
Estimate the value
- Remove what isn’t platinum. Diamonds and other stones add weight but no metal value. If you can’t remove them, ask the buyer how they will subtract them.
- Weigh it in grams on a scale that reads to 0.01 g if possible. See the scale on our tools page.
- Open the platinum calculator, choose the purity that matches the stamp (.950, .900 or .850), and enter the weight.
The result is the melt value: what the pure platinum is worth at today’s price. A buyer will offer a share of that, because they have refining and handling costs. See what’s a fair gold offer?; the same idea applies to platinum.
How buyers check platinum
Many buyers test platinum with an XRF analyzer, a machine that reads the metals in a piece without damaging it. Some use acid tests or electronic testers made for platinum. See how gold buyers test your gold.
Not every gold buyer handles platinum. Ask before you go, and ask whether they will pay for palladium in a mixed piece as well.
Before you sell
- Check for diamonds. The stones in a platinum engagement ring may be worth far more than the metal. Scrap buyers usually pay nothing or very little for stones. Consider having the stones looked at separately before you sell the ring.
- Consider resale as jewelry. A platinum band in good condition, or a signed designer piece, may sell for more as jewelry than as scrap.
- Get the weight and purity in writing. Ask the buyer what weight and purity they used, and the price per gram.
Quick summary
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| What does PT or PLAT alone mean? | At least 95% platinum |
| Is platinum worth more than white gold? | Usually more metal per gram, but it depends on prices |
| Do the stones count? | Not toward metal weight |
| How is it priced? | Platinum weight × platinum price, then the buyer’s share |
These figures are estimates, not offers. The buyer’s test and their percentage decide what you are paid.
- 16 CFR 23.6: Misrepresentation as to platinum content (FTC Jewelry Guides)
- FTC approves final revisions to the Jewelry Guides (2018)
Last reviewed October 29, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.