Platinum behaves nothing like gold
- It runs much hotter. Platinum solder works at a temperature that would destroy a gold piece, which is why it needs a bench set up for it.
- It does not wear away, it moves. A scratch in gold takes metal off. A scratch in platinum pushes it sideways, which is why an old platinum ring keeps its weight and gains a soft patina.
- It is dense. A platinum ring feels heavier than the same ring in gold, and people notice immediately when it is not.
- It stays white. No rhodium needed, and no going yellow.
- Stones near heat need real care, because the working temperature is high.
What comes in most
- Ring sizing on wedding bands and engagement rings.
- Prongs rebuilt or retipped, which platinum takes very well.
- A band worn thin underneath after decades.
- Chains and clasps, soldered in platinum rather than a gold substitute.
- Polishing that brings back the bright finish, or keeps the patina if that is what you want.
Patina, or bright?
Old platinum develops a soft grey sheen that a lot of people like and a lot of people want gone. It is your call, and it is worth saying which you want before we polish anything.
Bring it in and we will look at it
Every piece is different and platinum especially so. Put it on the counter, tell us what has happened, and we will tell you what we see and what we would do about it. You decide from there, before anything is agreed.
Questions we get asked
Can you repair platinum here?
Yes. It needs its own solder and a much higher working heat, and that is set up at our bench.
Does platinum need rhodium plating?
No. It is naturally white and stays that way.
Can platinum prongs be retipped?
Yes, and platinum takes retipping very well.
Should platinum be soldered with gold?
No. A gold repair on a platinum piece shows and behaves differently. It gets platinum solder.
Will you tell me what you find before doing any work?
Always. We look at it with you at the counter, tell you what we see, and you decide.
Not sure we can fix it?
Send a couple of details and we will call you back. Or just walk in — it is quicker, and we can actually look at the piece.
Drop it off, shop the mall, wear it tonight
We are inside Orland Square Mall in Orland Park. Walk in during mall hours, no appointment. Most repairs are finished the same day and a good number while you wait.
Where we are
Julio's Jewelry, 800 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park, IL 60462 — inside Orland Square Mall. Mon–Thu 10am–8pm · Fri–Sat 10am–9pm · Sun 11am–6pm. We are also at North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 W Cermak Rd, North Riverside, IL 60546.