Platinum is a precious metal used in jewelry – but also in countless industrial sectors – which stands out not only for its characteristics of resistance to corrosion and oxidation, but also for its malleability and shine.
Platinum has always been one of the most sought-after precious metals in the jewelry sector, which has significantly influenced the determination of its value, which is traditionally higher than that of gold.
In the past have been times when a gram of platinum was traded at more than double the value of a gram of gold, but recently the situation has radically changed and the trend of platinum price is on a slow decline, accompanied by a parallel growth in the value of gold. The price gap between gold and platinum has widened significantly in recent months: gold, in fact, still today represents the safe haven asset par excellence both for small savers and for central banks around the world, and international tensions of the latter period have meant that, in 2022, global gold reserves have grown significantly, reaching over 750 tons. This "gold rush" has caused a significant increase in the price of the metal, which does not seem destined to slow down and which on the contrary will probably continue for at least all of 2023, when it is estimated that the price of gold will be able to abundantly exceed 2,000 dollars an ounce.
In this scenario, platinum appears to be an increasingly competitive alternative, since its price is significantly lower than gold also due to the current production surplus compared to international demand. This means that - both in Europe and in the United States - interest in this metal is growing, involving not only the world of jewelry but also that of industry, particularly in the automotive, aeronautical and electronic sectors.
Elettrolaser solutions for platinum welding
Welding platinum is particularly challenging due to the characteristics of this metal; just think that the platinum melting temperature is 1,768 °C (against just over 1,000 °C for gold), a circumstance which can make it difficult to repair platinum objects or jewelry using traditional techniques. Furthermore, in the jewelry sector, the need to reach such a high temperature may require the removal of any gems from the platinum jewel before being treated, in order not to damage them, with an obvious increase in the risks and time required to carry out the repair.
For all these reasons, the laser is the ideal tool for welding or removing scratches and blemishes from platinum jewelry. The possibility of heating the object in an extremely punctual way, while reaching high temperatures at the same time, significantly reduces processing times, allowing you to quickly obtain perfect results from an aesthetic point of view, as well as being precise and resistant over time.
Elettrolaser welding machines are able to guarantee excellent performance in the treatment of countless precious metals, including platinum. Here are some of the best performing models in our catalog:
- MegaHIT 300: this welding machine is ideal for welding precious metals in the industrial field. The power of the laser capable of delivering 300 J of effective energy – allows it to guarantee excellent performance in terms of speed and precision of interventions, while the presence of an integrated cooling system makes this laser perfect even for intensive use.
- MS-3.5: this laser is designed to best meet the needs of goldsmiths and small laboratories where the availability of space is limited and it is important to have compact tools that are easy to use and able to provide excellent guarantees in terms of quality of interventions. Furthermore, this welding machine is also extremely convenient from the point of view of reducing energy consumption and limiting the use of consumable materials.
- Mega 6.0: this model guarantees maximum precision in welding operations thanks to be equipped with "smooth spot" technology that makes it possible to control the shot diameter in an extremely precise way and to distribute the filler material more easily, always obtaining impeccable results.
To find out more about the potential of Elettrolaser welding machines in the field of platinum welding, visit our website and contact us!
