What does PT950 mean on a ring?

PT950 means the ring is made of 95% pure platinum, which is the standard purity for platinum jewelry. It's a valuable precious metal worth significantly more per gram than gold in some market conditions.

How do I know if my ring is platinum?

Look for stamps that say PT, PLAT, or a number like 950 or 900 followed by PT. Platinum is also noticeably heavier than white gold or silver. A jeweler can confirm with an acid test or XRF analyzer.

Is palladium valuable?

Yes. Palladium is a precious metal that has traded above $3,000 per troy ounce in recent years. Even small palladium jewelry items can have meaningful melt value. Check the current palladium price at MeltValue.com.

What is the difference between platinum and white gold?

Platinum is a separate precious metal that is denser, more durable, and naturally white. White gold is gold alloyed with white metals (often nickel or palladium) and usually coated with rhodium plating. Platinum is stamped PT or PLAT while white gold is stamped with a karat number like 14K or 18K.

Platinum and Palladium Stamps on Jewelry

What PT, PLAT, PD, and other stamps on white-metal jewelry mean — and how to tell them apart from white gold and silver.

Identification Guide

Platinum and palladium are precious metals that look similar to white gold and silver but are worth significantly more. If you've found a stamp that says PT, PLAT, PD, 950, or 900 on a white-metal piece of jewelry, this guide will help you figure out what you have.

Both metals are rarer than gold, hypoallergenic, and extremely durable. Platinum is one of the densest metals used in jewelry — a platinum ring will feel noticeably heavier than the same ring made in gold, silver, or palladium. That weight is often the first clue that you're holding something valuable.

Platinum

Platinum Stamps

Platinum is denser than gold (21.45 g/cm³ vs 19.32 g/cm³), so a platinum ring feels heavier than the same ring in gold. This is a quick way to suspect platinum even before checking the stamp.

StampPurityWhat It Means

PT999 / PLAT999 / 999PT99.9%Bullion standard. Pure platinum.

PT950 / PLAT / 95095.0%The most common purity for platinum jewelry, especially engagement rings. The industry standard.

PT900 / 900PLAT90.0%Less common. Found in some vintage and estate pieces.

PT850 / 850PLAT85.0%Minimum purity to be called "platinum" in many countries.

IRIDPLAT / IRID~90%Iridium-platinum alloy — typically 90% platinum, 10% iridium. Common in vintage jewelry, especially pieces from the early 20th century.

Check the current platinum price per gram at MeltValue.com. A typical platinum engagement ring weighing 6 grams at .950 purity contains 5.7 grams of pure platinum. Dealers typically pay 70–85% of melt value for platinum jewelry.

Palladium

Palladium Stamps

Palladium looks similar to platinum but is significantly lighter (density 12.02 g/cm³ vs platinum's 21.45 g/cm³). It became popular in jewelry around 2009 when platinum prices spiked. Palladium is hypoallergenic and doesn't tarnish, making it a practical choice for rings and wedding bands.

StampPurityWhat It Means

PD99999.9%Pure palladium. Bullion grade.

PD950 / 950PD95.0%Jewelry-grade palladium. The standard purity for palladium rings and bands.

PD500 / 500PD50.0%Palladium alloyed with silver and copper. Found in some white gold alloys and dental work.

PALLVariesGeneral palladium stamp. Purity may vary — look for an accompanying number.

Check the current palladium price at MeltValue.com. Palladium has traded above $3,000 per troy ounce in recent years, making even small jewelry items potentially valuable.

Side by Side

How to Tell Platinum from White Gold and Silver

All three metals look similar at a glance — white and shiny. But there are clear differences in stamps, weight, and physical properties. If there's no stamp, a jeweler can do an acid test or XRF scan. Weight is a strong indicator: a platinum ring will feel noticeably heavier than a white gold or silver ring of the same size.

PropertyPlatinumWhite GoldSilver

StampPT, PLAT + purity numberKarat number (14K, 18K)925, Sterling

Weight FeelVery heavy (21.45 g/cm³)Moderate (depends on karat)Light (10.49 g/cm³)

ColorNaturally white-grayWhite (rhodium plated)Bright white, tarnishes

HardnessVery durable, doesn't wear awayHard, rhodium coating wears offSoft, scratches easily

Value per gramHighModerate (based on gold content)Low relative to platinum

Calculate Value

What Platinum and Palladium Jewelry Is Worth

Platinum Example:

A platinum engagement ring weighing 6 grams at .950 purity contains 6 × 0.95 = 5.7 grams of pure platinum. Multiply by the current platinum price per gram for the melt value. Dealers typically pay 70–85% of melt.

Use the calculators at MeltValue.com to get live melt values for both platinum and palladium.

If you're looking to sell platinum or palladium jewelry, US Gold and Coin buys all precious metals with free appraisals and same-day payment.

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