Platinum buying guide

In India platinum is mostly bought as rings, bands and chains in Pt 950 (95% pure). It doesn't fade or turn yellow, but it costs more to make than gold and sells back for less, so buy it to wear, not to invest.

Who to buy from

• Jewellers that give a PGI card (Look for this) — Platinum Guild International (PGI) certifies platinum jewellery. Each certified piece comes with a tamper-evident quality card.
• Large chains (Offline) — Tanishq, Kalyan, Malabar and Orra sell platinum. Ask for the PGI card and a BIS hallmark.
• Platinum specialists online (Online) — For example Jewelove, which sells Pt 950 pieces with PGI certification.

What to avoid

• White gold sold as platinum (Avoid) — Rhodium-plated white gold looks the same when new. Platinum is heavier and never shows yellow underneath.
• No Pt 950 stamp and no PGI card (Avoid) — There's then no way to prove what you bought.
• "Platinum-plated" or "platinum-finish" (Not platinum) — Only a coating, usually over silver or brass.

When to buy

• Festive offers (Offers) — Making-charge discounts at Dhanteras (6 Nov 2026) and Akshaya Tritiya usually cover platinum too.
• Peak wedding season (Wait) — Engagement bands sell fastest then, so there are fewer discounts.

How to check purity

• Pt 950 stamp (Must) — 95% platinum, the standard for jewellery in India. You may also see Pt 900 or Pt 850 (lower purity).
• PGI quality assurance card (Must) — Its unique number should match the piece and the bill.
• BIS hallmark — Voluntary for platinum, but good jewellers offer it.
• Weight — Platinum is much denser than gold, so a platinum band feels noticeably heavier than a gold one of the same size.

How to negotiate

• Ask for the making-charge breakdown — Making charges are a large share of a platinum band's price, and that's where the discount is.
• Buyback in writing — Platinum buyback deductions are higher than gold's. Get the policy on the bill.

Warranty and after-sales

• Lifetime exchange and buyback — Ask what percentage you get back, and whether it applies in every branch.
• Polishing — Platinum gets a soft matte look with wear. Most jewellers re-polish for free.

Sources

• What is the hallmark for platinum jewellery in India? — Jewelove
• Platinum guide — Orra
• Diwali 2026: Dhanteras, Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj — Samvat
• Akshaya Tritiya 2027 date and muhurat — Drik Panchang