Biocompatability of PGMs and alloys

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Category: Jewellery

Subject: Biocompatability of PGMs and alloys

Question

I’m trying to find biocompatability levels for the PGMs and their alloys, specifically for pure platinum, pure palladium, and platinum-iridium, platinum-tungsten and platinum-ruthenium.

I would also like data on the suitability of each metal for the following uses – wedding rings, body jewellery with screw threads, springs and working components, and other miscellaneous jewellery uses.

Answer

To our knowledge, there are no biocompatibility problems with the metals used for jewellery manufacture (platinum, palladium, rhodium), nor with platinum jewellery alloys.

You can find more information at Platinum Body Jewellery.

Some typical platinum jewellery alloys and their properties can be found from the Johnson Matthey Noble Metals website, by clicking on the heading Products: Industrial/wire.

Answer posted 4 August 2005

Submitted by: Miss Myranda Rose

Affiliation: jeweller/metallurgist/designer for MR Jewellery Horsham

Answered by: Neill Swan

Affiliation: Sales and Marketing Manager, PMPD, Johnson Matthey