For over three thousand years, platinum has been prized for its many unique attributes. Found in the tombs of ancient Egyptians, and used in jewelry by the Incas, precious platinum has a truly remarkable history. After being utilized by the Incas, platinum did not appear again until it was discovered by Spanish conquistadors in 1590. Thinking that it was a lesser metal, they called it ‘platina’ which means little silver, and threw it back into the river to “ripen”.
It wasn’t until the alchemy craze of the 1700’s that platinum was truly appreciated again as it was a highly prized ingredient in the potions of those who were trying to turn lead into gold. In 1751 platinum got another boost when it was categorized as a precious metal by scientist Theophil Scheffer, and soon after, King Louis XVI of France declared that platinum was the only metal fit for Kings. Obviously King Carlos III of Spain agreed with him, because in 1788 he had an ornate platinum chalice created for Pope Pius VI. Of course, platinum was not only prized for its beauty, but also for its durability. When the metric system was created in 1795, platinum was chosen to make the standard kilogram weight as well as the standard meter length as its durability meant it would not wear away and corrupt the standard. In 1937, platinum’s royal connections continued at the coronation of Queen consort Elizabeth with an elegant crown made of platinum. And it wasn’t just British royalty who loved the precious metal. American rock royalty preferred platinum as well. In 1967 when Elvis and Pricilla Presley were married, they exchanged platinum wedding bands.
The most recent platinum nuptials were watched all over the world. Of course I am speaking of the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. On her wedding day, the now Duchess of Cambridge wore a gorgeous platinum tiara loaned to her by Queen Elizabeth, accessorized by dazzling platinum and diamond drops given to her by her parents. She also wore her engagement ring which is a stunning platinum ring with a large sapphire surrounded with diamonds and is part of the legacy left behind by the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
So why is platinum so prized? What makes it special? Well to start with, platinum is PURE. All platinum sold in the US is 90 to 95% pure whereas 18 karat gold is 75% pure. This is due to the fact that platinum is a naturally white metal and does not need to be alloyed to improve its color. Platinum’s natural white color is a beautiful choice for diamond jewelry as the color maximizes the brilliance of your diamonds. Platinum is a white metal from the day it is mined, and will always remain so as it does not tarnish or corrode over time, nor is it affected by chlorine or other household products. Platinum does develop a warm patina over the years, which is a preferred look for many over a high polish. Also, due to its purity, platinum is naturally hypoallergenic, which makes it an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin.
Platinum is also RARE. Mined in only two locations in the world, South Africa and Russia, platinum is 35 times rarer than gold. On average, only 88 tons of platinum are made into jewelry each year, compared to over 2700 tons of gold. In fact, it is estimated that if all of the platinum ever mined were put in an Olympic sized swimming pool it would only reach your ankles, whereas the amount of gold would be enough to fill over three pools. Also, if mining of platinum were halted today, the supply remaining would be exhausted in just two years. This shortage is not only due to lack of mining sites. Platinum is much more difficult to mine. It takes 10 tons of ore, and 8 weeks to produce a single ounce of platinum. That’s only enough for 4 or 5 rings!
And the final reason why so many choose platinum? Platinum is ETERNAL. Platinum is one of the densest of precious metals. In fact, platinum is 60% heavier than 14k gold. This is a difference that you can literally feel. For example, a six inch cube of platinum weighs in at a staggering 165 pounds. That’s close to the weight of an average man! This density offers an extremely secure home to your diamonds and precious gems. Platinum prongs are much less likely to break or wear down which gives you piece of mind. Platinum is considered to be so secure that it is the metal trusted to house the famed Hope diamond. The Hope diamond’s beautiful platinum setting has proven itself to be durable beyond the call of duty as it is rumored that previous owner Evalyn Walsh McLean used to allow her Great Dane to wear the famous stone! Another reason for platinum’s durability is in its chemical makeup. When other metals are scratched, a sliver of metal is shorn away, never to be regained. Platinum is different, when it is scratched, the metal is simply displaced and can be returned with a professional polishing. Think of platinum as a piece of clay. When you drag your finger across the top, the clay is merely pushed aside, not taken off completely. And with the proper tools, you can make it look just like new. This means that the platinum wedding bands that you buy today will look just as good on your fiftieth wedding anniversary as they do in our showroom. The eternal nature of platinum allows your memories and your legacy to carry on for generations to come.
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| A Platinum Custom Halo Setting from UnionDiamond.com |
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