Platinum is a brightly shining noble metal of silver color. The modern jewelry industry annually uses about 50 tons of platinum in the production of jewelry. In this case, both pure metal and its alloys can be used. In order to distinguish metal from a fake and not become a victim of fraud, it is important to know a few simple ways to determine the authenticity of platinum.
Check the authenticity of platinum
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We determine the authenticity of platinum by the interaction of the metal with other substances
Use an ordinary iodine solution to determine the authenticity of a precious metal. Put one drop on the product and watch it. If the drop is dark, you have real platinum in front of you. Moreover, the darker the spot, the higher the sample of this product.
You can also find out about the authenticity of the metal if you heat the experimental sample with a glass burner. Genuine platinum will glow white hot, but will not begin to melt. If you draw a heated tip of a soldering iron over the surface of the metal, natural platinum will be distributed over it in an even layer.
Ammonia, when interacting with metals, causes blackening, but this will never happen when in contact with platinum.
If you have access to concentrated hydrochloric and nitric acids, as well as the skills to handle them, prepare the so-called aqua regia. To do this, mix a part of nitric acid with three parts of hydrochloric acid. Place the object to be examined in the solution. If it does not begin to dissolve in cold aqua regia, you have real platinum in front of you. The fake precious metal will immediately begin to dissolve in the cold solution.
Comparing platinum to silver
To determine the authenticity of the product, you can also compare it with your silver jewelry. Take any silver item that is close in size to the platinum item being examined. Weigh in the palm of your hand first the item made of silver, and then the one that is supposedly made of platinum. If it turns out to be significantly heavier than the first, most likely it is genuine platinum, since it is really heavier and denser than silver by about twice.
She, like a business lady, is independent and luxurious! Guess what we're talking about? That's right, it's platinum. Unrivaled platinum jewelry can melt even the icy heart of the Snow Queen. What is there to hide, walking past the sparkling showcase of the salon with jewelry is a real test for any woman. Platinum chains, necklaces, earrings and tiaras shimmering with bright light fascinate with their beauty and elegance. Platinum jewelry is superior in value to gold and any other precious metals. Therefore, to be the owner of platinum jewelry is a privilege that is not available to everyone. This is a kind of status accessory, an indicator of respectability, solidity and good taste.
Among other things, platinum wedding rings are now considered an ideal option for young couples. They look great both on the tender fingers of girls and on the courageous hands of their suitors. Platinum jewels are always a central part of the look, perfectly complementing both evening dress and office attire.
History of metal mining
Historical finds confirm that analogues of this metal were known in ancient Egypt and were used to make jewelry. But over time, he was quickly forgotten. And when platinum appeared in medieval Europe, its cost was half the price of silver. Some sources claim that in Spanish this mineral is translated as "silver". Interestingly, platinum was used to fake silver, but because of its infusibility, the metal has earned a snub. By the way, the Americans were the first to think of such a theory in the 17th century and immediately, in order to avoid counterfeiting, they sent its stocks to the bottom of the ocean. Amazing, right? After some time in Spain, as a result of experiments, jewelers revealed that platinum is perfectly alloyed with gold, increasing its performance and began to use it in jewelry. A century later, in the Russian Empire they learned about platinum, they even issued coins from it. But, as soon as the true chemical and physical properties of the metal were discovered throughout Europe, its price increased. Russian officials had only to quickly remove the coins from circulation, since their real value significantly exceeded their face value. Today, in the modern market, the price of platinum is about 100 times higher than that of silver. An important role in the formation of pricing was played by the rarity of the metal. You will not find platinum in its pure form, even nuggets contain only 70-90% of pure metal. Its deposits are mainly located on the territory of Russia, the USA, Zimbabwe, South Africa and China, and this is approximately 90% of all earth's reserves. To extract one ounce of platinum, which is 31.1 grams, more than 10 tons of ore is required to be processed.
Properties and features of platinum
Platinum is a precious metal with a light silver color. As mentioned above, it is very rare, highly valued and associated with luxury. In many ways, such estimates and characteristics are associated with the properties of this element.
Platinum is a truly magnificent jewelry metal, which, compared to the same gold, has a number of excellent advantages. In addition to amazing brilliance and aesthetic beauty, its main feature is durability. This is one of the reasons why platinum diamond engagement rings are so popular today. Such products are the perfect combination, they are not afraid of mechanical damage, deformation or wear. Buying platinum rings you can be sure that their original beauty will delight you for a long time. Such jewelry is also characterized by the fact that their frame perfectly holds the stone, and the risk that it will be lost over time is very minimal.
It's amazing, but from 1 gram of platinum you can make a thin 2-kilometer wire. The precious metal is very malleable, this remarkable quality allows jewelers to create extremely delicate, beautiful and exclusive accessories that, for example, cannot be made of gold or silver. Platinum bears the title of an eternal metal; it is not afraid of interacting with water, air, household chemicals, acids and other means.
True, metal in its pure form is not used to create jewelry. In Ukraine, and in most European countries, there are reference samples of platinum alloys: 750, 850, 900 and 950. As you can see, the percentage of platinum content in these products is 75, 85, 90 and 95%, and this is quite a serious percentage. Platinum jewelry does not contain allergic impurities, and therefore does not cause reactions or irritations on the skin.
International jewelry houses, collectors and celebrities around the world have long put platinum on a pedestal and made it the No. 1 precious metal in jewelry.
How to distinguish platinum from silver?
Jewelry is a special segment of expensive products. Unfortunately, this area of activity has recently become very attractive to scammers. According to statistics, today the extraction of precious metals has practically not increased, while the number of jewelry stores, boutiques, as well as online stores has rapidly increased and filled with a number of incomparable jewelry. Alas, even in stores you can stumble upon a fake. If you are overcome by doubts, then checking the authenticity of the jewelry will dot the i. There are many ways to do this and we will be happy to tell you about them.
Today, platinum engagement rings are very popular. But sometimes instead of platinum, you may be presented with silver mixed with copper. Often the groom in passionate feelings looks at the aesthetic beauty, and not at the properties of the metal, which for an inexperienced eye seem very similar. But, be aware that the shade of platinum is lighter, and silver has a grayish color. We will share with you the secrets that will certainly help when choosing jewelry:
Pay attention to the marking, for platinum it is “PT” or “PLAT”, but if the jewelry is marked “S” or “SILVER”, then it is silver. When you saw the sign "SF", it means that the product contains 7.5% copper. Platinum is heavier than silver, this is a well-known fact, it is for weight gain that an admixture of copper is used.
Decoration in the literal sense, you can check "on the tooth." Silver is softer and will definitely leave a light mark, while platinum has a higher density and will not be damaged by such a test.
When heading for platinum jewelry, take an ordinary lighter with you, let it pass the test of fire. An authentic product, for example, platinum earrings, does not even change its color when heated strongly. This metal has a rather low thermal conductivity, but silver does not have such properties and it will definitely react to fire.
Try to examine the decoration under a magnifying glass. Platinum is not afraid of corrosion and is not susceptible to scratches, so their discovery in itself is a cause for doubt.
You can also check the jewelry with hydrogen sulfide, platinum will not change its color, while silver will turn black.
The most impressive platinum jewelry!
How much do you think a platinum ring costs? As much as you are willing to pay for it. It's hard to believe, but our next selection of famous platinum jewelry is sure to amaze you.
- Especially for Natalie Portman, her fiancé Benjamin Millepied presented a platinum ring from Jamie Wolf. On the creation of this masterpiece, he worked together with a jeweler, relying on the tastes and preferences of his chosen one. The cost of the product is 35 thousand dollars.
Jewelry factory "ZBIRD" offers you a selection of stylish and sophisticated platinum jewelry with real gems. If you are looking for a truly exquisite and impressive gift, we know what to offer you. Our company is at your service at any time!
Rhodium silver or radiated (erroneous spelling) is silver coated with a thin layer of rhodium. The thickness of the rhodium plating is from 0,1
before 25 microns(thinner than a human hair).
Silver is born exclusively for decorative purposes. Such decorations retain their original appearance longer, are not subject to corrosion and do not fade.
How to distinguish rhodium sterling silver from regular?
Pictured is 925 sterling silver rhodium.
This is what regular silver looks like, without rhodium plating.
Below is a ring and earrings made of rhodium-plated silver made in China.
As you can see, rhodium sterling silver has a special brilliance and brilliance, while ordinary silver has a slightly grayish tint.
How to distinguish rhodium-plated silver from platinum and white gold
Rhodium-plated silver easily competes with white gold and platinum: it costs less, but looks the same. The photo shows wedding rings made of white gold, platinum and rhodium-plated silver. Try to distinguish.
Most likely, an external examination will not give a result. The most reliable way to distinguish white alloys is by examining the brand and sample. To do this, you need to know the standards of fineness of gold, platinum and silver.
Or distinguish marks by shape.
Or at the cost of decoration. The average price per gram in the product: rhodium-plated silver - 950 rubles, gold - 3500 rubles, platinum - 7000 rubles.
Rhodium silver - does not darken and is completely harmless!
Silver jewelry that has undergone a rhodium procedure has won its niche in the jewelry market. Positive feedback and stable demand for such jewelry suggests that rhodium-plated silver is a worthy alternative, first of all, to white gold. Rhodium-plated silver products do not darken and do not oxidize over time, unlike ordinary silver. In addition, rhodium jewelry is completely safe: rhodium does not cause allergic reactions. Rhodium plating of jewelry made of gold, silver and platinum is regulated by GOST.
How to care
Caring for rhodium-plated silver jewelry is no different from
Both platinum and silver are so-called noble metals. This means that they have a high stability compared to other metals and do not react well with other chemical elements and compounds. However, despite the similarity, even external, there is still a difference between them. Let us consider in more detail how platinum differs from silver and what these metals have in common.
History of the use of platinum and silver
Silver It has been known since ancient times, and it is impossible to name the date when people learned to mine and use it, even with an accuracy of a century. Since silver is found in native form (that is, it does not need to be smelted from ore), mining was limited only to finding nuggets and their subsequent processing. In ancient Assyria and Babylonia, silver was considered a magical symbol of the moon as far back as the second millennium BC and was used to make religious objects, as well as to mint coins. A little later, silver became popular in Ancient Hellas: for example, tetradrachms (coins with a face value of four drachmas) were minted from this metal. It is even believed that it was the tetradrachms (pieces of silver) that became the coins with which Judas Iscariot received payment for the betrayal of Jesus.
In the Middle Ages, silver, in addition to being used as a metal for minting coins, was widely used in the production of church utensils, as well as dishes. Of course, silverware was expensive, and only very wealthy people could afford it. Also, silver was used by alchemists, who more appreciated not the cost of this metal, but its "magical" properties. They drew their "knowledge" regarding such properties from ancient treatises dating back to Assyrian and Babylonian texts.
difference platinum from silver lies in the fact that we can say for sure when in Europe they first started talking about this metal (true, except that the Incas, the indigenous inhabitants of South America, used it a long time ago). In 1557, the Italo-French scientist Julius Caesar Scaliger in his book mentioned a certain metal from Central America that could not be melted. Most likely, he described platinum, known for its refractoriness and high density. For a long time, platinum was considered a waste metal, and if it was used, it was only to falsify coins made of gold and silver. The name itself - platinum - comes from the Spanish plata ("silver") and means disparagingly "silver" or "little silver".
Comparison
Outwardly, these metals are similar: both are white, only platinum is slightly darker. They differ radically in density: one cubic centimeter of silver weighs 10.5 grams, and platinum - more than 21 grams, that is, twice as much! The melting point of silver is 962 degrees Celsius, and platinum is 1768 degrees, that is, again, almost twice as much. Silver as a material for jewelry has been known for a very long time, but platinum began to be used for this purpose only in the 19th century.
Nowadays, the areas where both metals are used overlap in many ways. This is, first of all, the jewelry industry. In addition, both silver and platinum are used for minting investment coins and for creating medals and orders: for example, the profile of Lenin on the Soviet Order of Lenin is made of platinum. The cost of precious metals can fluctuate greatly depending on market conditions, but the cost ratio remains approximately the same: platinum is almost sixty times more expensive than silver. Now it is about 1856 and 33 rubles per gram.
The low oxidizability of these noble metals helped them find an extensive "sector of responsibility" in a number of technical industries. Silver and platinum alloys are used for soldering electrical contacts in contact with aggressive media, including those in the space industry. The refractoriness and resistance of platinum allows it to be used in the chemical industry - for the manufacture of crucibles and laboratory glassware. The technical specialization of silver and platinum is quite extensive. Of the most common (besides those listed), it is worth mentioning dentistry (platinum and silver crowns) and the food industry: silver is well known as a food additive E 174.
Table
Now you can give a clear answer to the question, what is the difference between platinum and silver. And the table below summarizes what these metals have in common and how they differ.
| Platinum | Silver | |
| What is | Noble metal, 78th element of the periodic system. Chemical symbol Pt | Noble metal, 47th element of the periodic system. Chemical symbol Ag |
| General physical properties | Density: more than 21 grams per cm3 Melting point: +1768.3 degrees Celsius | Density: 10.5 grams per cm 3 Melting point: +962 degrees Celsius |
| History | The Incas have been using metal since ancient times. Europeans got to know him in the middle of the 16th century. For a long time, the metal was considered junk | Known since ancient times. It has long been used for making jewelry and for minting coins. |
| Modern application | In jewelry, medicine, when minting investment coins, as well as in a number of technical industries | In jewelry, medicine, when minting investment coins, in a number of technical industries and in the food industry (food additive E174) |
The fear of being deceived haunts many people, and this fear is not unfounded. According to statistics, over the past 10 years, the extraction of precious metals has practically not increased, but at the same time, the number of jewelry stores is growing at an incredible pace. Alas, even when buying jewelry in a jewelry store, there is a chance of running into a low-quality fake. Overwhelmed by doubts? Authentication of precious metals is available not only to specialists, but to each of us. To do this, there are many ways, the implementation of which is possible at home.
Not all that glitters is gold
Only a jeweler who has all the necessary analytical equipment at his disposal can check a gold product and issue a reliable conclusion on belonging to a noble metal. Professional verification is carried out by the Assay Office. Examination of gold jewelry is not a cheap pleasure, the price of the service ranges from 10 to 20% of the estimated value of the item. counterfeit more and more often, and no one wants to waste money. By the way, the need to check gold for authenticity may arise not only in relation to jewelry, but also, for example, when buying ingots or nuggets.
Silver earrings with cubic zirconia, SL; (price link)
The most difficult type of fake for self-determination of gold is a piece of jewelry, on which the thinnest layer of precious metal is applied. It is extremely difficult to determine the authenticity of such work at home without causing harm to the product.
The most common methods for counterfeiting gold items are:
- surface gilding;
- copper replacement;
- alloys of aluminum and other metals;
- an alloy of titanium and gold.
Fake jewelry made from alloys close to gold in color leaves spots with a green tint on the skin, especially when the ring is worn for a long time. The replacement of gold with other less valuable metal alloys or similar deposition can be determined using well-known methods.
The first stage is checking gold by comparison. Surely you have a piece of jewelry, the authenticity of which you have no doubt. On a rigid object, draw a line with these two decorations. Gold items will leave the same mark, but if there are differences, this is a direct reason to doubt the quality.
With the help of a magnifying glass, peer into the brand, which should reflect the sample of gold. It should be clear, without damage.
The cost of a gram of gold changes daily, however, you should rely on it when buying jewelry, even if they are not purchased in a store.
Gold ring with diamonds and citrines, SL; gold earrings with diamonds and citrines, SL; (price link)
There is also an opinion that the sound helps to calculate the copy. Crystal ringing when hitting a hard surface is emitted by gold items. A dull or any other sound is a cause for concern.
Iodine test
Iodine is able to change the color of most components that are used to counterfeit the precious metal, but at the same time, such a sample is completely harmless for jewelry with a sample of more than 500 (that is, which contains more than 50 mass percent of gold).
A drop of a pharmacy alcohol solution of iodine should be applied to the product in doubt, and after 10-15 seconds, remove its remnants with a napkin. If a trace of iodine remains, then this is not a gold product. Unaltered metal color may indicate authenticity.
Magnet check
Precious metals are not affected by a magnet. Steel products covered with a thin layer of gold will instantly be attracted to the surface of the magnet, real gold jewelry will not react to the magnet.
Many manufacturers use lock designs for chains and bracelets that include a steel spring - in this case, the magnet will only attract the lock.
Indifference to the magnet is a necessary condition, but not sufficient. For example, most alloys of copper and tin are non-magnetic. However, such products are much lighter: the difference in weight can be felt even without an analytical balance.
Vinegar test
A cheap fake will turn black under the action of acetic acid. If you lower into it with a sample above 500, then nothing will happen to him. This is another sure way to recognize authenticity. 3-5 minutes is enough to conduct an experiment.
To the teeth
You have probably seen in films how the main characters tried a gold coin “by the tooth”. This method is only suitable for high-grade gold (whiter than 900), which is relatively soft. On such gold, a mark from the teeth will certainly remain, since its hardness is much lower than that of other metals.
Determining the Authenticity of Gold Using Analytical Instruments
Instant recognition of metal components at home is possible using a special device called a metal analyzer. The result is displayed on the screen within 2-3 seconds. To obtain it, it is necessary to point the device at the object under study. The analyzer is widely used by miners of precious metals.
Gold earrings with diamonds and sapphires, SL; (price link)
In order not to doubt the authenticity of gold jewelry, you should choose the right place to purchase it. Jewelry stores and pawnshops are points of sale of this precious metal. Buying from the hands is always a risk.
Authentication of Platinum Jewelry: Your Own Expert
Platinum is a precious metal used in jewelry making. The silver-white metal gained its fame in the 18th century, but only in our time has it become widely used by jewelers. As a rule, only small jewelry, such as rings, earrings and chains, is made from platinum. This is due to the high cost of the material.
With the spread of the Internet, buying jewelry has become much easier. However, you will not have the opportunity to examine the product before buying, which means that you may encounter a fake. Many people prefer not to risk buying jewelry in specialized stores, but in this case, you are not immune from fakes. So how can you independently verify the authenticity of jewelry made of platinum?
Determining the weight and density of a product
Platinum is a heavy metal whose weight is comparable only to iridium, osmium, rhenium and uranium. All other elements are lighter. In addition, in the production of jewelry, the share of platinum is from 85% to 95% in the total weight of the product. That is, jewelry is almost 100% composed of this noble metal. Products made of gold and silver, for example, have a much lower weight of the precious metal.
The use of iridium, osmium and rhenium to make jewelry heavier is not advisable, since these elements have the same value as platinum, and besides, they are rarely found in nature. Pick up a platinum ring and a similar-sized ring in another metal. A piece made of platinum will be heavier than a similar piece of jewelry made from another alloy.
May 26, 2016 at 12:42 pm PDT
If you have a suitable measuring vessel, then you can measure the density of the product. To do this, you need to weigh the precious accessory, and then place it in a bowl of water and determine the volume of liquid displaced in cubic centimeters. After that, the weight of the jewelry in grams should be divided by the value of the water displaced by it in cubic centimeters. The resulting value should be near the figure 21.45. In this case, we can say with full confidence that the platinum jewelry is genuine.
Use of chemicals
- Iodine. Take ordinary medical iodine and drop it on a platinum product. The drop should have a dark color, only in this case it is possible to speak about the authenticity of the noble metal. The darker it is, the higher the sample of the jewelry. There should not be any stains on the accessory. Also, no stains will remain from acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide.
- Ammonia. All precious metals, except for platinum, react to the action of this substance. Only it does not turn black and does not react with ammonia.
- Nitric and hydrochloric acid. These chemicals should be mixed in a ratio of 1:3 to obtain "aqua regia". When heated, this mixture will slowly dissolve the platinum product. In a cold state, no changes will occur.
How to distinguish platinum from silver
Silver is much cheaper than platinum, so some negligent manufacturers sell silver products under the guise of an expensive precious metal. To distinguish a fake, first of all, you need to consider the color of the precious jewelry. Platinum is a lighter metal, while silver has a gray tint. In addition, due to the high cost of platinum, large items are not made from it. If you are offered a massive chain and at a bargain price, then most likely they are trying to deceive you by selling a silver accessory.
You can try to try both products on the tooth. Nothing will remain on platinum, while a slight trace will remain on silver. This is due to the fact that platinum has a higher density. In addition, these elements enter into chemical reactions in different ways, for example, with hydrogen sulfide. At home, you can use a rotten egg, on which you should put jewelry made of two metals in turn. Silver will turn black under the action of hydrogen sulfide, and nothing will happen to platinum.
Product heating
Platinum is a refractory metal, so it cannot be melted with an ordinary lighter, stove flame or gas burner. Platinum jewelry will not change color even with strong heat. By the way, platinum has a rather low thermal conductivity, which means that a product made from it will heat up longer than, for example, from silver and gold, but it is very problematic to draw any conclusions based on this property.
Silver cufflinks, Okami; (price link)
If you still have doubts about the authenticity of a platinum jewelry, then the best option is to contact a professional. Then you will have no doubts, and you will be sure that your jewelry is made of noble metal.
Silver Jewelry Self Authentication
Silver is a noble metal, the properties of which were appreciated many centuries ago. Pure silver and its alloys are widely used in the manufacture of jewelry, crockery, cutlery, and instrument making.
Try
The cost of silver is quite high, and, by the way, recently the prices for this metal on world exchanges have been constantly growing. Not surprisingly, the number of fakes and falsifications is also increasing. When buying silver things, first of all, you need to pay attention to the sample. It is quite difficult to fake it: only top-class specialists can make a cliché. On the surface of the product, the sample should be well readable, with even, clear outlines. The assay mark on Russian-made silver items looks like a rectangle, inside of which a three-digit number is printed, showing the proportion of chemically pure silver in the item.
The amount of impurities determines the quality of the metal. The following samples are most common: 720, 750, 800, 875, 916, 925, 960. Sample 720 means that the jewelry alloy contains 72% silver, 750 - 75% and so on. From this dependence it follows that the higher the sample, the higher the cost of the product.
Alloys 750 and 800 contain a lot of copper, so they are yellowish in appearance. They are usually used to make cutlery. The silver of this sample is subject to oxidation, so you will have to clean the spoons and forks quite often.
Quality silver used for jewelry production is 925 and higher.
Silver ring with cubic zirconia, SL; (price link)
Authentication
If there is no sample on a product that is passed off as silver, you can ask the jeweler for a definition, for example, take it to a pawnshop and ask for an assessment. In addition, there are many ways to check the authenticity of a thing yourself.
Express ways to determine the authenticity of silver at home
- One of the surest ways is a magnet: silver should not be attracted. However, this test alone is not enough: a lot of silver-imitating alloys are also not magnetic.
- To determine the use of sulfuric ointment, which can be bought at any pharmacy. The product should be smeared with a thick layer and let lie down for a couple of hours. Genuine silver or an alloy with a high content of this precious metal will definitely turn black.
- Test with iodine. Under a drop of an alcoholic solution of iodine, silver also turns black, and the higher its quality, the stronger. But here we must act carefully, these manipulations can lead to damage to things, since it will be very difficult to remove the stain.
- Often, silver-plated brass or copper is given out for silver. You can make a scratch in an inconspicuous place: if a reddish or reddish tint appears on the edges of the inscription, this is a fake.
- Silver bends quite easily, and after the cessation of exposure, it does not restore its shape (silver-plated copper and brass are weakly springy, because they have high elasticity).
- Silver has a high thermal conductivity. A thing dipped in hot water instantly heats up. It also quickly takes on the temperature of the human body.
- When wearing fake jewelry, dark streaks remain on the skin. This indicates the addition of much cheaper zinc. Jewelry made from such alloys is very fragile and often breaks.
- Silver has a specific smell, people with a sensitive sense of smell can determine the authenticity of the product.
All these verification methods are quite superficial, and can only be used for a preliminary assessment. A guarantee that the product is made of silver, and not just silver plated, can only be given by an expert jeweler. To be 100% authentic, you will have to file or carry out calculations with specific gravity.
May 28, 2016 at 8:30 AM PDT
Real silver darkens over time. But it takes years, and besides, its brilliance can be easily restored. To do this, use a special cream or ammonia. The brilliance of low-quality products disappears forever.
Silver test
One of the most accurate methods for determining the authenticity of silver at home is a silver test, which can be purchased at specialty stores or online. Following a simple instruction, with a high degree of probability, you can determine not only the authenticity of the product, but also an approximate sample.
There are electronic devices that can distinguish silver, gold, white gold, platinum. However, their cost is so high that a purchase for the purpose of a one-time determination of precious metals at home is not economically justified.
Finally
Counterfeiting of precious metals is one of the most common methods of fraud. The growth in the number of falsifications is explained by the high income of fraudsters and the difficulty of suppressing activities of this kind. That is why the purchase must be taken seriously. Only specialized stores that work directly with manufacturers can guarantee the safety and quality of precious metal products.
November 19, 2014, 17:18
