When someone has several items of silver-colored jewelry that are no longer wanted, it’s important to learn what the metal is. This allows the person to look up the current prices for various precious metals before bringing the items to a jewelry buyer in Chicago. There are big differences between pricing for silver and platinum since platinum is worth substantially more.
The first step is to consider platinum vs. silver & spotting the difference between the two. If both metals are represented in this collection, they are relatively easy to differentiate. Using a magnifying glass can help.
Color Difference
Platinum is brighter and shinier, with a silvery white hue. The metal silver is grayer. A jewelry buyer in Chicago will pay much more for a platinum item than a similar silver one.
Tarnish and Patina
If there is any tarnish, which most commonly is black, the metal is silver. Platinum does not develop this form of corrosion, but it can have a patina. The patina makes it less shiny and some slight texture may have occurred on an otherwise smooth finish. The changes come from normal wear and tear connected with frequent use.
A Third Possibility
When trying to determine platinum vs. silver & spotting the difference between the two, the owner may realize that some pieces don’t correspond to those colors. If it has a warmer tone with a hint of yellow, that’s probably white gold. Jewelry buyers typically pay more for platinum than similar items of gold, but gold has respectable value as well.
To learn more about jewelry contact Chicago Gold Gallery today.
