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Wishing P4 Metal Would Go Away?

Stuller’s Corporate Metallurgist shares his tips to help you deal with this challenging metal

ABI Precious Metals in Carson, California, invented a metal mixture containing four precious metals in the alloy: silver, palladium, gold, and platinum. Though ABI doesn’t disclose the actual chemistry, they allow purchasers freedom to call the metal whatever they wish!

Star Ring, Inc. of California trademarked Platina 4 as the name for this alloy mixture and chose P4 to stamp the ring shank. A P4 SR stamp on a ring represents Platina 4 made by Star Ring.

The metal was created as a lower-price-point alternative to karat gold. The inventor claims it’s hypoallergenic, easy to clean, and very durable. However, due to the off-white color of the alloy, when overseas manufacturers cast it, they often plate it with all sorts of white metal, including nickel and chromium. This creates headaches for jewelers when it comes to sizing and fixing broken prongs because the coatings render the metal brittle during heating.

P4 metal beauty shot

But there is a solution! Since P4 metal is essentially a silver-based alloy, silver solders can be used during assembly, and sterling silver sizing stock can be used for sizing the P4 ring.


How does P4 metal work for you? If you have any ideas to share, please feel free to post them below.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shan Aithal

I've been with Stuller since 2000 • New Orleans Saints fan! • I can cook a mean crepe-style dish from India • Love to teach and learn • Climbed Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood in the Cascade Mountain range • Love to travel.