Like all precious metals, platinum is susceptible to scratches from daily wear and tear. When it is scratched, platinum displaces rather than loses mass, maintaining its weight and structure. This characteristic is beneficial for investors in platinum bullion, as the metal retains its weight even after years of handling. Its durability is higher than many other metals, and it develops a natural patina that many find attractive, which can enhance the appeal of platinum coins over time.
Understanding Platinum’s Hardness on the Mohs Scale
The Mohs scale measures the hardness of minerals based on their ability to scratch softer substances. Platinum has a hardness of 4 to 4.5, making it more resistant to wear than softer metals like gold. This level of hardness also means that platinum bullion and coins maintain their integrity over time, contributing to their long-term investment value. While harder metals exist, platinum’s unique balance between hardness and malleability makes it a popular choice for jewelry and bullion products. This balance plays a key role in stabilizing the platinum price in the investment market, as its durability ensures it remains in demand.
Comparing Platinum to Common Metals on the Mohs Scale
The hardness of platinum allows it to resist wear better than gold. However, platinum can still be scratched by harder substances despite its relative hardness. Here’s how platinum compares to other common minerals:
| Mineral | Mohs Hardness | Comparison to Platinum |
| Talc | 1 | Much Softer |
| Gypsum | 2 | Softer |
| Calcite | 3 | Softer |
| Nickel | 4 | Comparable |
| Iron | 5 | Slightly Harder |
| Titanium | 6 | Harder |
| Quartz | 7 | Significantly Harder |
| Topaz | 8 | Much Harder |
| Corundum | 9 | Much Harder |
| Diamond | 10 | Far Harer |
The Nature of Platinum Scratches
Scratches on platinum, whether found in jewelry, bullion, or platinum coins, do not remove metal but instead displace it. Over time, these small scratches blend into a natural patina, giving platinum a distinctive patina that many collectors value. As a result of greater frequencies of handling, jewelry and coins tend to develop this patina more quickly, further enhancing their uniqueness and desirability among collectors and investors.
Platinum Versus Other Metals
Platinum’s resistance to scratches is often compared to other metals like gold and silver. While platinum may scratch more easily than harder metals such as tungsten carbide, it is able to retain metal with each scratch. Unlike gold, which can lose material and value with each scratch, platinum retains its mass, preserving its intrinsic value.
What Metals are Harder than Platinum?
| Metal | Mohs Hardness |
| Gold/Silver | 2.5 |
| Copper | 2.5-3 |
| Platinum | 4-4.5 |
| Palladium | 4.5-5 |
| Cobalt | 5 |
| Stainless Steel | 5.5-6.3 |
| Rhodium | 6 |
| Tungsten Carbide | 8.5-9 |
Practical Applications of Platinum’s Hardness
Platinum provides a combination of hardness, durability, and resistance to corrosion, making it valuable in numerous industries. Below are some common applications of platinum.
- Jewelry: Platinum is often used in engagement rings, wedding bands, and fine jewelry, valued for its weight retention and natural whiteness.
- Platinum Bullion and Coins: Platinum’s durability and scarcity make it a stellar choice for coins and bullion.
- Industrial Uses: Platinum is employed in catalytic converters to reduce harmful emissions. Its high melting point and resistance to corrosion make it suitable for use in laboratory equipment like crucibles.
- Medical Devices: Platinum is hypoallergenic and chemically inert, and its biocompatibility makes it a perfect match for use in pacemaker electrodes and dental alloys.
- Aerospace: Platinum is used in jet engine components because of its ability to withstand extreme temperatures. Its catalytic properties allow it to be used in hydrogen fuel and other chemical processes vital to aerospace technology.
- Glass Manufacturing: It is used in the production of high-quality glass, including fiberglass and optical glass, due to its resistance to high temperatures.
Maintenance Tips
Platinum is durable, but maintaining its appearance requires some care. Here are a few tips:
- Storage: Store products like platinum coins and jewelry by themselves to avoid contact with harder materials that may scratch them.
- Considerations in Daily Wear: To preserve the finish of platinum pieces, remove them before engaging in manual work or handling harsh chemicals.
Although platinum does scratch, its unique properties allow it to retain its weight and structure, making it one of the most durable precious metals. This durability ensures that platinum bullion and coins remain valuable, maintaining their appeal to investors and collectors alike. The price of platinum is driven by these intrinsic properties, along with global demand and industrial uses, solidifying platinum as a versatile and long-lasting metal. Its hardness, combined with its resistance to wear and corrosion, makes it valuable in various applications, from fine jewelry to aerospace and medical devices.
