PT page

Understanding Platinum Purity

PT999 vs PT950 vs PT900 — What's the Difference?

Platinum jewelry is graded by its purity percentage, marked as PT999, PT950, or PT900. Each grade reflects the share of pure platinum in the alloy, with the remainder being precious metals like iridium, ruthenium, or palladium that add strength and durability. Understanding these hallmarks helps you choose the right grade for engagement rings, eternity bands, and fine diamond settings — and explains why the live price per gram differs between them. Comparing platinum with other precious metals? See our daily-updated 24K, 18K, 14K, and 9K gold price guide.

Investment Grade

PT999

99.9% Pure Platinum · Hallmark: PT999 / Pt999

The purest commercially available platinum, identical in composition to investment bullion. Like 24K gold, PT999 is highly malleable and soft — it scratches and bends easily, which makes it less practical for everyday jewelry but ideal for collectors and platinum investors.

  • Best for: bullion, coins, investment pieces
  • Hardness: very soft (40–45 Vickers)
  • Color: bright, slightly grayish-white
  • Price reference: tracks the international spot rate 1:1
Luxury Jewelry

PT950

95% Platinum + 5% Alloy · Hallmark: PT950 / Pt950

The international gold standard for fine platinum jewelry. PT950 balances exceptional purity with the structural integrity needed for engagement rings, wedding bands, and eternity bands. It is the dominant grade in Japan, Hong Kong, and most luxury markets in Europe.

  • Best for: engagement rings, wedding bands, fine jewelry
  • Common alloys: ruthenium, iridium, or cobalt
  • Hardness: medium, holds polish beautifully
  • Price reference: PT999 spot price × 0.95
Setting Grade

PT900

90% Platinum + 10% Alloy · Hallmark: PT900 / Pt900

Slightly harder and more affordable than PT950. PT900 is widely chosen for prong settings and ring heads holding high-value diamonds, because the higher alloy content improves wear resistance and grip strength. Especially popular for daily-wear bridal pieces.

  • Best for: ring heads, prong settings, daily-wear jewelry
  • Common alloys: palladium, iridium, ruthenium
  • Hardness: firmer, more scratch-resistant
  • Price reference: PT999 spot price × 0.90

Platinum Purity Comparison at a Glance

Grade Purity Hardness Best Use Price Factor
PT999 99.9% Very soft Investment bullion 1.00× spot
PT950 95.0% Medium Engagement & wedding rings 0.95× spot
PT900 90.0% Firmer, durable Prong settings, daily wear 0.90× spot

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Live Prices

24K, 18K, 14K & 9K Gold Price

Daily-updated gold rates in USD, HKD, JPY, CNY and NTD — compare gold and platinum side by side.

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Discover PT950 and 18K engagement ring designs set with IGI-certified lab grown diamonds.

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Platinum and gold eternity bands — designed for daily wear with brilliant lab grown diamonds.

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Learn how the 4Cs, certification and cut grade affect the value of your diamond jewelry.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Platinum Price & Purity FAQ

Everything you need to know about PT999, PT950 and PT900 platinum pricing, hallmarks, and how to choose the right grade for your jewelry.

What is the difference between PT999, PT950 and PT900 platinum?

PT999 is 99.9% pure platinum — the highest commercially available purity, best suited for investment bullion because it is very soft. PT950 contains 95% platinum plus 5% alloy metals such as iridium or ruthenium and is the global standard for fine jewelry. PT900 contains 90% platinum and 10% alloy, making it harder and more wear-resistant — typically used for prong settings and ring heads holding large diamonds.

How often are the platinum prices on this page updated?

Platinum prices on MadisonDia are updated twice daily at 12:00 AM and 12:00 PM Hong Kong Time (HKT) using live data from reliable international market sources. The same update schedule applies to our daily gold price page.

How are PT950 and PT900 prices calculated from PT999?

They are derived directly from the PT999 spot price multiplied by their platinum purity percentage:

  • PT950 = PT999 spot price × 0.95 (95% purity)
  • PT900 = PT999 spot price × 0.90 (90% purity)

This keeps our valuations transparent and based on actual precious metal content — finished jewelry includes additional craftsmanship, design and certification costs.

Why do platinum prices fluctuate every day?

Platinum is rarer than gold and its price is affected by industrial demand (especially automotive catalytic converters), mining supply from South Africa and Russia, currency exchange rates, and overall global economic conditions. We use live data feeds to keep our daily HKD, USD, JPY, CNY and NTD quotes accurate.

Which platinum grade is best for an engagement ring?

PT950 is the most popular and widely recommended grade for engagement and wedding rings worldwide. Its 95% purity gives a brilliant, naturally white color, while the 5% alloy provides enough strength for daily wear. PT900 is also an excellent choice when extra hardness is required, particularly for prong settings holding larger diamonds. Browse our lab grown diamond engagement ring collection to see real examples.

Is platinum more valuable than gold?

Historically, platinum traded at a premium to gold because it is rarer in the Earth's crust and harder to refine. In recent years, gold and platinum prices have moved closer together and the relationship varies day to day. For a direct comparison, see our live 24K, 18K, 14K and 9K gold price page, which is updated on the same schedule as this platinum page.

What does the PT or Pt hallmark on jewelry mean?

The "PT" or "Pt" hallmark stamped inside a ring or on a piece of jewelry indicates the platinum purity. The number that follows shows the parts-per-thousand of pure platinum: PT999 = 999/1000 pure, PT950 = 950/1000 pure, and PT900 = 900/1000 pure. Hallmarks are a quick, reliable way to verify the precious metal content of any piece you purchase.

Is platinum a good choice for daily-wear jewelry?

Yes — platinum is one of the most durable precious metals for everyday jewelry. It is hypoallergenic, naturally white (it never needs rhodium plating like white gold), and extremely resistant to corrosion. PT900 in particular is favored for daily-wear rings because its higher alloy content offers excellent scratch resistance.

What is the difference between platinum and white gold?

Platinum (PT950 / PT900) is a naturally white precious metal that keeps its color permanently and is denser, heavier and more hypoallergenic than white gold. White gold (typically 18K or 14K) is yellow gold mixed with white metals such as palladium or nickel, then usually finished with a rhodium plating that wears off and needs re-plating every few years. See live gold prices in 24K, 18K, 14K and 9K for a side-by-side cost reference.

Can I use these spot prices to buy jewelry from MadisonDia?

Yes — the per-gram prices on this page serve as a transparent reference for the platinum value in any piece. The final retail price of finished jewelry also includes craftsmanship, design, hallmarking and the diamonds or gemstones used. To get an exact quote, browse our lab grown diamond jewelry collections or contact our team for custom-made pieces.

What currencies are platinum prices displayed in, and why?

To serve international jewelry buyers and distributors across Asia and the West, MadisonDia displays platinum prices in USD (United States), HKD (Hong Kong), JPY (Japan), NTD (Taiwan), and CNY (China). All conversions use live mid-market exchange rates updated alongside the spot price.