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Remaking platinum rings Question: Hi! I recently inherited a platinum three ring bridal set.

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Since I already have my own bridal set and the diamonds on this set are very nice, I was interested in turning the set into one nice right hand ring.

I took my design and the rings to a local jeweler and he told me that the platinum could not be melted down and re-used like gold. Is this correct?

After seeing one of your previous responses about some platinum jewelry already having been another piece of jewelry, I am thinking I need to see another jeweler.

He said that platinum loses its properties when it is melted down.

Can I still use the metal from this set?

Thanks, Brenda

Answer: G’day Brenda and many thanks for your query.

Firstly I would just like to caution you against destroying the original set. You didn’t say how old they were as you just inherited them, but if they are Antique, Vintage or Art Deco in Style (very popular between the Wars) you would be loosing value by remodeling.

If they are newer (say 1970’s - 1980’s) then you have to remember quality jewelry from this period will become the Antiques of the Future. This is your call of course, but please give it some serious thought before you go ahead.

You could always have them resized to wear on the other hand, without destroying their value.

Now with that out of the way…

I think your local jeweler may not have the correct equipment to melt down the Platinum because it melts at a much higher temperature than gold, so is herder to work with. If his workshop is small, he may not have the skills needed to do the job so is trying to put you off a little.

In saying that though (and here’s a trade secret) many jewelers don’t actually melt down the original rings, but simply ‘Credit’ you for the weight, and replace that with new Platinum Jewelry - gram for gram.

They then send the old rings away for refining by people who have the correct equipment in the first place.

You might also like to add this query to our Jewelry Forum where there are more ‘Experts’ to help you.
http://www.online-jewelry-appraisals.net/jewelry-forum/ as other may have had a similar problem.

Can’t hurt anyway and who knows what answers you may get.

Hope this helps…

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