A platinum alloy containing 1 to 9 percent gallium and minor amounts of property enhancing additives, eg. up to 3% Pd. This alloy can be heat- treated to a Vickers hardness that is increased by at least over 25% beyond its initial, untreated value and typically to at least over 300 HV. The heat-treatment process includes the steps of solution- treating the alloy, followed by quenching and a hardening heat-treatment to achieve the desired hardness and strength. The alloy is useful as a component of jewelry, art objects or related articles.
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