QuestionHi there, I have just gotten my platinum engagement ring re-sized as it was slightly too big when i first got it. However on the back of the band the platinum is 2 different colours where they soldered it. I can clearly see where it has been soldered. Is this the normal way a platinum ring is re-sized? I wasnt expecting to see where the rind was re-joined. Can I get rid of this colour difference?
AnswerBee,
There is a reason for a solder line but it doesn't have to be that way. It all has to do with the "solders" used to join the two sides of the band back together after the piece is removed to bring the size down. For many years platinum solders contained mostly palladium and very little if any platinum. These were the best we had. The solders have a grayish color and most will show as a slightly different color than platinum jewelry. Also, the hardness is not the same as platinum jewelry metal and when buffed extreme care and special techniques must be used to prevent the solders from slightly pulling out of the joint, that is, being buffed away a very slight bit compared to the platinum and leaving a slightly recessed line.
SOLUTION: A company named Precious Metals West changed all that by bringing platinum solders to market which containthe same amount of platinum as platinum used in jewelry. Once discovered, these solders quickly relegate the old style solders to the scrap pile or to an antique collection. The "plumb platinum solder" melts at lower and easier to work temperatures than the old style palladium content solders, an advantage in my opinion. The true delight of the solders from Precious Metals West is the hardness and color match to platinum jewelry metal: There is not a color line and there is no line from buffing.
If the color really bothers you, you might be able to work out something with the jeweler to use the plumb platinum solders from Precious Metals West. The possibility of the line showing was normal for many years when the so-called platinum solders were used to do the job.
Likely the best way to join the ring together is not to use solder at all but to weld the joint together. This means taking a tiny bit of the piece cut out of the band and making it quite thin and large enough to put between the two band ends with some raised on all sides. This is then heated quickly to the melting temperature of the platinum and all is fused together, forming a solid joint of the very metal of the ring. The color matches perfectly and the line does not show. Some jewelers may hesitate to use this procedure unless experienced with working platinum at melting temperature. In that case, they can go with the plumb platinum solder mentioned above and all will be easier and work quite well for all concerned.
For your information and if the jeweler wants it, here is the company name and web site got the modern plumb platinum solder:
Precious Metals West
www.preciousmetalswest.com
I gain nothing by mentioning this company other than letting others know of it existence and the wonderful platinum solders invented there.
God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
