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What is Platinum?
The word platinum sometimes enjoys a cache
higher even than gold, as platinum albums and platinum credit cards
attest. However, widespread knowledge of the white metal stretches back
only a few hundred years, Platinum, is more precious, and more enduring
than gold. Platinum is a completely different metal, which is found
naturally in the earth. It is relatively rare, about 35 times rarer than
gold. It is truly a magical metal. Platinum jewelry is made from very
pure platinum. As compared to gold, platinum falls between the 18-karat
and 24-karat range, with 18 karat being approximately 75% pure and 24
karat being the purest. Since 18-karat jewelry is 75% pure, that means
that the other 25% of the piece is an alloy, such as silver, zinc or
copper. This simply means that platinum requires very little alloy to be
combined with it in order to make platinum jewelry...
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Platinum is Expensive
Platinum is rare. Ten tons of platinum ore is required to process a
single ounce of pure platinum. Platinum is very dense-60% more dense
than Gold. A piece of jewelry made of Platinum is considerably heavier
and stronger than its counterpart in Gold, therefore more expensive due
to its bulk weight alone. The most important consideration is the labor
factor in producing a finely finished piece of Platinum jewelry. Due to
its density and unique working properties, it requires a highly skilled
craftsman to create a quality piece of Platinum jewelry. The working
environment must be absolutely pristine and free of other metal
contaminants-requiring the platinumsmith to maintain a separate set of
tools exclusively devoted to Platinum jewelry. Platinum is significantly
more costly than the exact same ring style crafted in White Gold.
The Origin of Platinum
In nature it is generally found as part of the
so-called Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) and together with other metals
such as gold, nickel or copper. The PGMs are Platinum (Pt), Palladium
(Pd), Rhodium (Rh), Ruthenium (Ru), Iridium (Ir) and Osmium (Os).
Platinum and Palladium are the most important of the PGMs. Platinum is
known as the environmental metal. As a matter of fact, approximately 20%
of the goods manufactured in the world contain platinum or are produced
using platinum.
The word platinum sometimes enjoys a cache
higher even than gold, as platinum albums and platinum credit cards
attest. However, widespread knowledge of the white metal stretches back
only a few hundred years, versus thousands for gold. Despite being
worked with some skill by South American Indians over 1,000 years ago,
it was not until after the Spanish conquest of the New World during the
fifteenth and sixteenth centuries that news reached Europe of a new
white metal with unusual properties.
History of Platinum
Platinum appeared on a casket made by ancient
Egyptians a few millennia ago, but small amounts of platinum are found
with almost all native gold so this appearance could have been
accidental. The Pre-Colombian Incas of Ecuador also used platinum, but
their fabricating techniques mysteriously disappeared when the Spanish
Conquistadores arrived. In ancient Egypt where the remarkable
metalsmiths of that time became extremely skilled in the art of working
with platinum. A 2500 year old coffin of an Egyptian High Priestess was
discovered, decorated with platinum hieroglyphs. Their polish and luster
were still perfect, giving dramatic proof of...
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Platinum Myths
There are some myths about platinum that it is difficult to work with
but the reality is that anyone with a little experience can learn to
work in platinum, while it is true that working in platinum require
extra time in the finishing process. Another misconception is that
platinum jewelry must be plated with rhodium normally while platinum by
itself is white enough so rhodium plating is not necessary.
Platinum Facts
Platinum is more durable than gold. Over time,
platinum simply doesn't wear away anywhere near as fast as white gold or
other gold alloys, despite the fact that the actual surface hardness and
stiffness of the white gold may seem much higher.
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Platinum costs more than gold or white gold
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Platinum requires special skills and tools
to work with. The image above shows a platinum wedding band just
after pre-polishing work was done on a lathe. The ring is already so
polished it shows a reflection of the photographer taking the
picture, even though it is spinning around at thousands of rpm.
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Platinum has an extremely high melting
temperature. In its purest form it melts at 3214 degrees F, almost
twice the temperature needed to melt 14 karat gold.
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All the platinum ever mined would produce a
cube 17 feet on each side, less than 5000 cubic feet.
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It takes up to 10 tons of ore to produce
one ounce of platinum, more than twice as much ore that is typically
needed for an ounce of gold.....
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White Gold and Platinum, Are they the Same?
No. White gold and platinum have their own properties which make them
unique. The following white gold information and platinum information
show you the difference between the two metals. Platinum is a white
metal, but unlike gold it is used in jewelry in almost its pure form
(approximately 95% pure). Platinum is extremely long wearing and is very
white, so it does not need to be Rhodium plated like white gold.
Platinum is very dense (heavy), so a platinum ring will feel heavier
than an 18kt gold ring. Platinum is, however, very expensive. A platinum
ring will be approximately twice the price of an 18kt white gold ring
(excluding gemstone costs). Platinum is significantly more costly than
the exact same ring style crafted in White Gold...
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Platinum Jewelry Today
Platinum is a popular choice for fine jewelry
settings. Then the early 20th century garland-style jewelry set
predominantly with diamonds and Pearls brought platinum to the
forefront. Jewelers discovered platinum could be worked very finely
without losing shape, allowing the fabrication of incredibly delicate
and durable jewels. At last, platinum had achieved the recognition it
deserved as a precious metal, a distinction no one questions today.
Platinum is a very popular choice for a wedding
ring. Platinum Wedding Rings are the modern choice for couples
exchanging vows. Platinum is a perfect choice in metal for wedding rings
for these reasons: Platinum is the rarest of the precious metals. It is
the top of the market for wedding rings. Platinum has a rich, clean
color. The color is similar to white gold but with a purer light color,
as a good platinum wedding ring is not a mix of metals but pure
platinum.
Platinum Prices
Platinum is a more expensive metal than gold as it’s a
more rare metal and there are difficulties involved with mining it,
which also adds to its price. Platinum is also used in a much higher
concentrations in jewelry than the proportion of gold used in jewelry.
The platinum alloy used in jewelry consists of 85% to 95% platinum,
that’s 850 to 950 parts platinum for every thousand parts. Gold jewelry
conversely generally uses a maximum of 75% or 750 parts gold per
thousand parts for 18ct jewelry, or less gold for 14ct, 10ct or 9ct
jewelry. While traditionally platinum was mixed with an alloy of gold,
it is now combined with another member of the platinum family such as
palladium or iridium which helps to retain its whiteness. Palladium is
also more expensive than gold and it has a metal price more comparable
with platinum than gold. This change in alloy mix has also contributed
to raising the price of platinum...
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Shopping and Caring for Your Platinum Jewelry
When shopping for platinum jewelry, it is important to know how much
platinum is in the particular piece. The amount of pure platinum in any
piece of jewelry per thousand parts implies the amount of platinum
content. The jewelry piece that has 950 parts per thousand of pure
platinum is labeled as platinum. Platinum is a good choice for buying,
as it is very strong and long lasting. Platinum is an excellent setting
for diamonds and other precious stones. Also, platinum is more pure than
any other precious metal like gold and it is hypoallergenic. Platinum
jewelry should be kept in separate jewelry box away from other metals.
Platinum can be maintained in the same way as gold and can be cleaned
with a soft brush to get off any dirt. It is better to avoid wearing
jewelry during manual work as this may damage the precious ones. It also
has long lasting qualities and keeps up its luster longer making it a
good option for buying.
Take me to 'Jewelry Education' Pages
Read useful information in the Jewelry Education pages to get to know
more about diamonds, gemstones and jewelry in general. We believe the
more you will know about jewelry, the better you can appreciate the
quality and overall value of the jewelry we have to offer! Get to know
diamonds, gemstones, Pearls, Baltic amber, gold, silver, platinum,
jewelry buying tips, ring size and so much more. We have compiled this
useful information about diamonds, gemstones and precious metals with
their history, facts, myths and all aspects of jewelry buying to help
you make a sound decision...
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All About Platinum
