When looking for a piece of jewelry that will last you for years, or even generations, durability is the most important consideration. There are different types of metals you can pick from, and choosing the right one can often prove challenging.
Gold is still the most usual choice for jewelry, especially wedding bands. However, platinum is becoming increasingly popular, too.
Hence, people typically compare platinum and gold first. The most frequently asked questions are: Is platinum stronger than gold? How strong is platinum? Is platinum the strongest metal?
I’ll help you answer them all!
The Strength of Precious Metals: How Strong Is Platinum?
Platinum is not considered a strong metal. It is ranked 4 – 4.5 on the Mohs scale and has a density of 21.45 g/cm3.
So, is it hard or soft? Is platinum a good choice for jewelry?
Platinum is a soft metal that can get scratched and dented. However, it is still a good choice for jewelry. After all, pure gold and silver are the two most popular precious metals used for jewelry, even though they rank 2.5 – 3 on the Mohs scale and have a lower density than platinum.
Thanks to the higher level of hardness, platinum can be used for jewelry in its pure form, while silver and gold have to be mixed with other metals. Unfortunately, anything harder than it can scratch your platinum jewelry.
For example, a diamond (10 on the Mohs scale) or amethyst (7 on the Mohs scale) can damage your platinum ring or a necklace. Therefore, you must take good care of your platinum jewelry.
However, hardness is not the only thing that defines the strength of a metal. Density determines the strength, too.
| Precious Metal | Density (kg/cm3) |
| Platinum | 21400 kg/m3 |
| Gold | 19320 kg/m3 |
| Palladium | 12160 kg/m3 |
| Silver | 10490 kg/m3 |
A higher level of density means that the metal has a greater number of smaller molecules packed into the space it takes up. Density thus has a lot of influence on how a metal handles normal wear and tear and bumps over time.
Being denser than fine gold, platinum can be used in a purer form and handle much more hardship. Density provides platinum with strength, but it does not make it a superhero.
Platinum is a soft metal, remember? It can get scratched and micro-dented if it collides with a harder material. In time this can give platinum a dull look, even if the damage and scratches are not highly visible. So, once again, please take good care of your platinum jewelry to preserve its good looks!
Is Platinum Stronger than Gold?
Platinum is stronger than gold. First, it is harder than gold. It ranks 4 – 4.5 on the Mohs table, and pure gold ranks 2.5 – 3. Platinum has a higher level of density than pure gold, too. Namely, the density of gold is 19.32 grams/cm3, while platinum is 21.45 g/cm3 dense.
Due to its higher density and hardness, platinum can be used for jewelry in its pure form. On the downside, you need about 10-11% more platinum to make a ring than you need gold.
Since pure gold is as hard as your fingernail, jewelers use 18K or 14K gold to make their jewelry. 18K and 14K gold are prepared by adding alloy metals. The goal is to increase the hardness of the gold and make it more durable and less prone to breakage and scratches.
Platinum hardness vs. gold hardness
| Precious Metal | Mohs Hardness Scale Rank |
| Platinum | 4-4.5 |
| Fine Gold | 2-2.5 |
| 18K Gold | 2.75-3 |
| 14K Gold | 3.5-4 |
| Silver | 2-2.5 |
| Pure Palladium | 5.75 |
When you add alloy to bump up the hardness of 14K gold to 3.5 – 4, its purity gets reduced to 58%. Platinum jewelry is usually made from 90 – 95% pure platinum. If you count on the fact that platinum is much denser than gold, and you need more of it to make jewelry, you start to realize why it is more expensive, too.
Density Comparison Table: Precious Metals
| Precious Metal Alloy | Density |
| White Gold 18K | 16.5 g/cm3 |
| Yellow Gold 18K | 16.5 g/cm3 |
| White Gold 14K | 14.5 g/cm3 |
| Yellow Gold 14K | 16.5 g/cm3 |
| Yellow Gold 9K | 14.5 g/cm3 |
| 950 Platinum | 21.5 g/cm3 |
Platinum vs. Gold Hardness: Final Comparison
Unlike pure gold, 14K gold is just as strong as platinum. However, if banged against a hard surface, it can leave a bit of itself. It cannot happen to platinum since it has a higher density. So, the gold gets scratched away and lost, while platinum only gets shifted and gets a patina finish.
As you can see, both 14K gold and platinum can show scratches and dents. However, gold retains its shine no matter how damaged it is, while platinum becomes dull.
Is Platinum Stronger than Steel?
Platinum is not stronger than steel even though it has the same hardness level of 4-4.5 on the Mohs scale and higher density. Steel boasts much higher tensile strength, which makes it a stronger metal. Its tensile strength is about 400 MPa (580,000 psi), while platinum ranges between 125-165 MPa (18100-23900 psi).
On the bright side, platinum is resistant to both corrosion and rust. Steel, even when marked as stainless, will corrode and rust with time. It can influence its strength, too.
Hardness Comparison Table: Metals
| Metal | Mohs Hardness Scale Rank |
| Platinum | 4-4.5 |
| Steel | 4-4.5 |
| Hardened Steel | 7.5-8 |
| Aluminum | 2.5-3 |
| Copper | 3 |
| Iron | 4 |
| Nickel | 4 |
| Tungsten Carbide | 9-9.5 |
| Titanium Carbide | 9-9.5 |
Tensile Strength Comparison Table
| Metal | Tensile Strength |
| Platinum | 125 – 165 MPa |
| Gold | 125 MPa |
| Steel | 400 – 550 MPa |
| Silver | 140 MPa |
Final Words: Is Platinum the Strongest Metal?
Platinum is not the strongest metal. However, it is strong enough to make durable and resilient jewelry.
Over time, platinum can develop a so-called “patina finish” that gives it an antique or worn appearance, but it does not tarnish or rust. It can be re-polished and restored to its original look whenever you want.
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