No, platinum does not "crack" in the way glass or ceramic does, but it is misunderstood in terms of its durability. Platinum is a highly ductile and dense metal, meaning it is more likely to bend or deform under extreme pressure than to snap or shatter. This makes it an exceptionally secure setting for diamonds. However, platinum is actually "softer" on the Mohs scale than 14k gold. This means it scratches and dents quite easily, developing a dull, matte finish over time known as a "patina." While a gold ring might lose tiny amounts of metal every time it is polished, platinum simply "shifts" its molecules around when scratched, meaning the metal isn't lost. While a "crack" is extremely rare and usually indicates a casting flaw or extreme stress on a thin band, you should expect a platinum piece to show surface wear and tiny dings much faster than harder white gold.