Is Platinum Harder than Diamond?

Platinum is not harder than diamond, as it has a Mohs scale of hardness rating of 4-4.5, whereas diamond has a rating of 10, making it the hardest known material in the world, capable of easily scratching platinum. The hardness of platinum makes it more prone to scratches from materials that are harder than it, including diamond, despite its high strength and durability.

Understanding Platinum and Diamond

Platinum and diamond are both highly valued for their unique properties, with platinum being a dense, malleable, and ductile metal and diamond being an extremely hard and rare gemstone.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Mohs scale of hardness? The Mohs scale of hardness is a scale used to measure the scratch resistance of materials, with higher ratings indicating greater resistance to scratching.

2. Is platinum more expensive than diamond? The cost of platinum and diamond depends on several factors, including quality, size, and supply and demand, but generally, high-quality diamonds are more expensive than platinum.

3. What is harder than platinum? According to the Mohs scale, materials that are harder than platinum include diamond, as well as some other precious gems like ruby and sapphire.

4. Why is platinum so expensive? Platinum is more expensive than gold due to its rarity, density, and difficulty to extract, with only 160 tons of platinum extracted annually compared to 1,500 tons of gold.

5. Is platinum jewelry worth buying? Platinum jewelry is a good investment due to its durability, resistance to wear and tear, and hypoallergenic properties, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin.

6. Can anything damage platinum? Yes, platinum can be damaged by materials that are harder than it, including diamond, and can also be affected by certain chemicals and acids.

7. Is it good to wear a platinum ring? Wearing a platinum ring is a good choice due to its high wear resistance, durability, and hypoallergenic properties, making it suitable for everyday wear.

8. Why is my platinum ring turning yellow? If a platinum ring is turning yellow, it may be due to the use of white gold or rhodium plating, as pure platinum does not discolor or turn yellow.

9. How often should I polish my platinum ring? It is recommended to polish a platinum ring no more than once a year to maintain its appearance and prevent excessive wear and tear.

10. What are the disadvantages of platinum jewelry? The main disadvantage of platinum jewelry is that it tends to lose its high polish and sharp edges over time, requiring regular maintenance to maintain its appearance.

11. Why does platinum have no resale value? Platinum tends to have a poor resale value due to the relatively small market demand for it, making it less liquid than other precious metals like gold.

12. Can platinum rust? No, platinum cannot rust as it is a precious metal that does not contain iron and is highly resistant to corrosion and tarnishing.

13. Is platinum attracted to magnets? Generally, platinum is not magnetic, but some platinum alloys that contain cobalt or other magnetic metals may be attracted to magnets.

14. Is platinum more luxurious than gold? Platinum is generally considered more luxurious than gold due to its rarity, density, and purity, making it a highly sought-after metal for high-end jewelry.

15. What is stronger than diamond? While diamond is the hardest known material, wurtzite boron nitride (w-BN) has been calculated to have a greater indentation strength than diamond under certain conditions, making it potentially stronger in some applications.