Platinum is one of the most rare and treasured precious metals. Platinum has a short history with man compared to gold and silver. First written about in the 1500’s, platinum in its natural state is extremely rare and requires very high temperatures to melt.
Platinum is a relatively heavy metal that gives off a hue of silver and white. It is very malleable which makes it great for jewelry and has great catalytic properties that make it very useful for electronics and engine components. Platinum is also hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic is a term that means that it can be worn by people with the most sensitive skin. Platinum will not cause the wearer any rash or discomfort.
Platinum is extremely sought after due to its rarity and beauty. Platinum is much rarer than gold and thus more expensive, usually costing about 90% more in price. Due to its rarity and precious status, many kings and queens adorned themselves with platinum jewelry. In fact, it is said that Louis XV, king of France stated that it was the only metal befitting for a king.
Because of platinum’s wonderful properties of being malleable and resisting corrosion, high quality jewelry is created from it. When buying platinum, you will note that unlike karats used in determining the purity of gold, platinum’s purity is expressed in a ratio of a 1,000 parts. For instance, pure platinum is 1000. However, most platinum is sold as 950 which is 95% platinum, 900 which is 90% platinum and 850 which is 85% pure platinum.
Platinum is now a very popular choice for jewelry. Because of its high cost, platinum is used only in high quality jewelry. Popular jewelry choices may include engagement rings, wedding bands and bracelets. Usually platinum is encrusted with diamonds as well as other beautiful stones. Even luxury watch manufacturers use this precious metal to adorn their watch faces. If you are looking for an extremely rare and precious metal to create a stunning piece of jewelry, look into choosing platinum.
