Platinum Jewelry

     Platinum was accepted as a precious metal after the second half of the 19th century. It was held in high esteem during Egyptian times and Native people worked it as early as 100 BC. Spanish conquistadors discovered platinum artefacts among the gold they were seeking when they came to the new world. For centuries only large amounts of platinum were found in Russian mines. It is very hard and has a very high melting point, so it would have been hard to work with when it was first discovered. During the latter part of the 19th century and the 20th century, platinum became very popular and is considered a premium metal used in platinum jewelry.

     It has a deep lustre and a rich, white colour. It is rarer and heavier than all precious metals and considered more valuable than gold. It is often used to set the most precious gems and to make the finest gems. It holds gems most securely because of its strength and its neutral colour enhances the brilliance and depth of diamonds and precious stones. Because of its density and weight (it is almost twice as heavy as 14-karat gold) you can feel the difference between platinum and other precious metals and there are no karat marks to identify platinum. In the U.S. it is usually marked as PT or PLAT.

     In Europe it is marked 950 or PT950. Platinum is so pure that it doesn't cause an allergic reaction. In recent years it has grown in popularity and is becoming a new choice for diamond engagement rings because its lustre brings out the brilliance of diamonds far better than gold. As well, it is generally agreed that platinum is more compatible with fairer skin tones.

     There are other types of metals similar to platinum and they make up what is called the Platinum Group Metals and commonly occur together in nature:
Palladium: This a relatively rare, silvery white and soft metal. It is alloyed with gold when used in jewelry and is used in what is called white gold.
Rhodium: This brilliant silvery white metal is used as a plating finish for jewelry and silverware.

     Other types of platinum metals that aren't used for aesthetic purposes include: Ruthenium, Iridium and Osmium.

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