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 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 Continental / International Silver
 Need Help w/ the Term Platina
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| Author | Topic: Need Help w/ the Term Platina |
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cj jones Posts: 68 |
posted 01-08-2007 02:59 PM
  
[26-1305] I have a Mexican lighter - circa 1960 - it is an overlay - The marking are totally unreadable w/ my lupe except for Mexico..I took it to a jeweler today and he said he saw a lion and the word - platina - I googled Platina but cannot find a finite answer. I will be glad to post the lighter picture if you think that will help...can anyone help me? IP: Logged |
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cj jones Posts: 68 |
posted 01-08-2007 04:01 PM
Here is the hallmark...I did the best I could...it is the maximum size allowed  IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 01-08-2007 04:44 PM
The spanish word platina literally means surface in english which probably means your item is plated. IP: Logged |
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cj jones Posts: 68 |
posted 01-08-2007 05:05 PM
 As you can see the lighter is a soft gray color...the hallmark pix looks gold to me but is actually the same gray/silver color. On the base of the lighter, there is a goudge w/ no plate show thru. Platina was also an early derivative word for platinum for the Spanish. I seriously doubt it is platinum but it also doesn't look like any plate I have ever seen particularly w/ the cutout work. Anybody else have any thoughts? IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 01-08-2007 05:17 PM
The lighter is a beauty. However, although I've had a smattering of a few languages, I'm no expert in any of them, english included. Nevertheless, platinum in spanish is platino. IP: Logged |
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cj jones Posts: 68 |
posted 01-08-2007 06:03 PM
Bascal...I am confused...do you think it is platinum or plate? I lean toward platinum because of the color and the goudge..I appreciate your helping me to decipher..cj IP: Logged |
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bascall Posts: 1629 |
posted 01-08-2007 07:40 PM
In the case of this item, it's so nice, I don't think it matters which it is. Unfortunately, I have to stick with plated. Maybe somone that is more fluent in spanish than I am will be willing to shed more light on this matter. IP: Logged |
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cj jones Posts: 68 |
posted 01-08-2007 08:18 PM
Thanks..I appreciate your input..I learn something everyday on this forum..if anyone else has an opinion -- pls chime in...thnx cj IP: Logged |
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Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 01-09-2007 03:16 PM
It looks like silver plated or maybe nickel silver to me. The Spanish word platina simply means silver colored and comes from the Spanish word for silver - plata. The Spanish platino comes from it since platinum is also silver colored. It would be simple to tell whether it is platinum but only you or someone who can hold it in their hands can do that. Platinum is noticably heavier than gold. A cube of solid platinum that is just 1 inch on a side would weigh over 9 pounds. When you hold it in your hand does it feel many times heavier than you would expect a metal object of its size to weigh? Next, do you see any tarnish anywhere on it? Platinum does not tarnish, silver does, though some non-silver nickel based alloys likewise do not tarnish noticably. If you still think it could be platinum, you should take it to a jeweler and ask them to do a specific gravity test (don't let them use acid on it or scratch it or other destructive tests which are really unnecessary). This will give you the definitive answer. IP: Logged |
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salmoned Posts: 336 |
posted 01-09-2007 06:04 PM
One cubic inch of platinum would weigh 11.3 troy ounces, not quite the 9 pounds quoted.  Perhaps 0.9 pounds was the intended amount, eh?I would recommend a specific gravity test also, if only because it's so easy to do yourself. A result of 20 for platinum, 10 for silver, 9 (or less) for base metals. [This message has been edited by salmoned (edited 01-09-2007).] IP: Logged |
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cj jones Posts: 68 |
posted 01-09-2007 11:08 PM
Thank you both for your responses; I didnt see them until today...I always learn something and after your explanation that platinum doesnt tarnish..I think it is high quality plate. I always had doubts about the platinum part as I have never seen a platinum light -- altho they probably exist..it's beautiful whatever..I have a cedar chest full of treasures to research. I greatly appreciated the library section and have put a hold on a recommended one @ my library. If it helps me w/ my flatware, I will purchase one. My parents attended many estate sales/auctions in the 60's in Ohio -- so lots of flatware -- I mix & match w/ my china & sterling. There are many dreary days here -- so it will be a fun challenge. Thnx again for all the responses..cj IP: Logged |
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FWG Posts: 845 |
posted 01-10-2007 11:06 AM
"Platina" just makes no sense, so I'd suggest the jeweler likely misread it. "Plateada / plateado" is the term for plated goods, or, as already noted, "plata" for silver. I've seen a fair number of pieces like this in silver, often marked MEXICO SILVER for the gringo trade but PLATA can also be found occasionally. The plated ones I've seen have been pretty obvious and usually of a lower quality thatn this piece, so I'd incline towards this being silver. I'd consider platinum out of the question. IP: Logged |
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cj jones Posts: 68 |
posted 01-10-2007 11:12 AM
FWG....thanks..I know it is not platinum but will take another look..it may be plata..thnx for that input..cj IP: Logged |
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Kimo Posts: 1627 |
posted 01-12-2007 11:31 AM
Ooopps. My decimal was off. Thanks! IP: Logged |
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