Platinum, the beautiful silvery-white metal, is one of the rarest metals found on earth. Its rarity makes platinum the most precious and expensive metal. The metal is very durable and won’t ever lose its shine and luster, making it such a desirable object. Platinum engagement rings and wedding bands have gained a high popularity, in recent times, because of its beauty, everlasting shine and rarity.
The jewelry also makes a perfect gift because of its uniqueness.
As platinum occurs, naturally, in alluvial soil on river beds, it was used by the pre-Columbian civilizations in South America to make ornaments. But it was only in 17th century that platinum was referred in European writings. After its decline in the 1930s, due to the Great Depression, platinum was revived in Japan in 1960s and its popularity rapidly rose, all over the world.
The platinum metal is extremely rare, having a concentration of a mere 0.005 ppm (parts per million) in the Earth’s crust. Other metals in platinum family include rhodium, palladium, osmium, ruthenium and iridium. The largest platinum reserve is found in South Africa followed by Russia and Canada.
Platinum jewelry is the most sought after jewelry in today’s time. The resistance to wear and tear and the lifelong shine of the metal has made platinum the favorite of women and men around the world. Many brides also prefer their bridal jewelry made in platinum. The luster of platinum sets a rich backdrop for diamonds and beautifully contrasts with colored gemstones. But the metal is so elegant and exquisite by itself that even a plain or engraved platinum jewelry looks equally beautiful.
Tips on purchasing platinum jewelry:
- Look out for stamps on the jewelry, if it is marked Platinum, the jewelry contains at least 950 parts per thousand of pure platinum.
- If it is marked 850 Plat or 850 Pt, it shows that the jewelry contains 850 parts per thousand of pure platinum.
- If it is marked as 500 Pt. 450 Ir. Or 500 Plat. 350 Irid., it means the jewelry contains 500 parts of pure platinum and 450 parts of iridium.
- Consult your jeweler regarding the markings and platinum content if you are unsure, which combination suits you.
