Is Platinum Magnetic? (+10 Answers To Your Platinum Questions)

No, platinum will not be attracted to a magnet. However, many people notice that their platinum jewelry or other platinum items stick to a magnet. In this article, we’ll explain why it is that your platinum (which isn’t magnetic) acts like it is.

Is Platinum Magnetic? (Nope It Is A Paramagnetic Material)

Paramagnetism is a form of magnetism where the material is weakly attracted to an external magnetic field.

Since the attraction is so weak, in general we call this type of material “non-magnetic.” This means that in most cases, the material won’t react to your standard magnet you’ve got around your house.

This is in contrast to a material that is ferromagnetic, as this type of material would be strongly susceptible to a magnetic field.

Using a magnet on this type of material in your home would likely produce the expected result (sticking or repelling).

Since pure platinum is paramagnetic, using a magnet on it won’t do anything to it.

Then Why Does My Platinum Ring Stick To A Magnet?

The purest of pure platinum is actually quite rare on this Earth.

In many cases, platinum mined around the world may also include some other types of materials which are magnetic mixed in, such as silver, iron, nickel or cobalt.

If your ring is attracted to a magnet, you can conclude that the ring is not purely platinum, and contains some other material that is magnetic.

Most jewelry (including rings sold as “platinum”) are actually a platinum alloy.

What we mean by this is that there is platinum plus another material, such as cobalt, gold, and iridium, among others.

Also keep in mind that the original platinum (before mixing in another material) may not be “pure” platinum. Instead, it may be a form of platinum with traces (small or even large) of other metals.

Some companies add materials to platinum to try and reduce the end cost of the product, so as to earn more money when you buy it from them.

That said, in most cases additional materials are added to the platinum used in jewelry and other manufactured items not to scam you, but to improve the end product.

For example, platinum as a metal on it’s own is actually quite soft, rating only a 4-5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. To compare, gold is in the 2-3 range. Your fingernail is about the same level of hardness as pure platinum.

Using platinum combined with other materials improves the hardness and durability dramatically. Otherwise your wedding ring would quickly become dented, dinged, and bent.

Is Palladium Magnetic?

Palladium is a member of the platinum metal group, though it is not actually platinum.

Like platinum, palladium is paramagnetic, meaning that its response to an external magnetic field is so weak that we say it is not magnetic.

How Can You Tell If A Ring Is Made Of Platinum?

The quickest way is to look at the inside of the ring band for the letters “PT” in any form. It may just be PT alone or PT with other numbers alongside.

You can try other tests (like trying to scratch it, heat it, or put chemicals on it), but we don’t recommend that because it would likely harm your ring.

What is the Density of Platinum vs Gold?

Platinum is more dense than gold.

Platinum has a density of 21.45 grams per cubic centimeter.

Gold has a density of 19.3 grams per cubic centimeter.

This is one of the reasons why some people dislike wearing platinum jewelry, as pieces of the same size (like rings or earrings) feel heavier when they are made containing platinum.

Is Platinum a Metal?

Yes, platinum is a metal, because it:

readily forms positive ions
has metallic bonds
when prepared or polished it shows a lustrous appearance
conducts heat
conducts electricity
is malleable
is solid at room temperature

What Is The Boiling Point of Platinum?

Platinum boils are 6,917 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 3,825 degrees Celsius.

What is the Freezing Point of Platinum?

When something “freezes,” it changes from a liquid to a solid. Most people think of water becoming ice, and associate “freezing” with cold.

The “freezing” point is also the “melting” point, where a solid becomes a liquid.

With a material that has a very high melting point, the “freezing” (meaning turning from a liquid to a solid) happens at that very high temperature.

The freezing point of platinum is 3,215 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 1,768 degrees Celsius.

Consequently, the melting point is also 3,215 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 1,768 degrees Celsius.

Where is Platinum Found?

There is a difference between where platinum can be found and where it is being found.

Platinum may exist in every country of the world.

However, currently about 80 percent of platinum is mined in South Africa, 10 percent of platinum is mined in Russia, and the remaining 10 percent is mined in North and South America.

It is entirely possible that platinum exists in other countries in the world, but that deposits have not been discovered. (source)

Is Platinum Ferromagnetic?

No, platinum is not ferromagnetic. As explained above, it is paramagnetic.

Does Platinum Have Any Magnetic Properties?

A magnetic property refers to the response of a material to an applied magnetic field.

All matter exhibits magnetic properties when placed in an external magnetic field. (source)

However, we classify materials have having magnetic properties vs not having magnetic properties based upon the strength of the effect of the field upon the material.

As a result, yes, platinum does have magnetic properties. That being said, the effect upon platinum is so weak that in general, we say that platinum is not magnetic.