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Things To Know Before Gift Shopping For Platinum Jewelry
Compare these - silver, gold, and platinum. Which amongst them
do you think has the heftiest price tag? It's platinum, alright.
But do you know why?
The Value of Platinum Over Gold
As early as the 7th century B.C., the Egyptians had already been
using platinum to adorn the caskets of their Royalty. However,
gold was the more popular metal for jewelry even during ancient
times because Platinum was so hard to find. Platinum is found
only in trace quantities on Earth. It is rarer than gold and for
this reason alone, platinum would cost more than gold. Also,
platinum is known in the jewelry industry to be a lot stronger
and purer compared to gold. When it comes to purity, most
platinum used in jewelry around the world is 85% except in the
USA and the UK, which make use of 95% pure platinum.
Platinum is denser thus heavier than gold by about 68%. This
makes platinum a lot more durable. Also, it is more resistant to
tarnishing compared to gold. Platinum's strength gives a very
secure setting for precious stones and diamonds. In fact, other
precious metals such as ruthenium, cobalt, iridium, palladium,
and copper are alloyed with it to make these metals stronger and
durable. Gold may be more malleable than platinum, but it needs
to be alloyed with other metals as well to improve on its
strength and for it to stay in shape. The downside of the
strength of platinum is that it requires a very high temperature
to mold it: an astounding 1769°C and it needs more effort and
skill on the jeweler's part, unlike gold.
Another benefit of platinum, when used in jewelry-making, is its
purity makes it perfect for people with sensitive skin.
The History of Platinum Jewelry
Wedding bands makers are now more leaning toward the use of
platinum as the main material. Tiffany and Cartier introduced
platinum in the jewelry world during the 18th century. After
World War II, platinum became a controlled material and its use
had declined.
During the 1960's, the demand for platinum resurged in Japan. It
eventually became a symbol of purity and virtue because of its
white luster. The other countries followed suit in terms of the
demand for this precious metal.
Knowing Fake Platinum From Real Platinum
As platinum weighs heavier than gold, density is the main aspect
of the metal that will tip off whether it is authentic platinum
or not. Using a special instrument in detecting fake coins can
also be of great use in this endeavor. The jewelry's label will
also give you a clue. If one tells you that a piece contains 95%
platinum, the label should have platinum or 950 platinum/plat.
Caring for Platinum Jewelries
No matter how strong platinum is known for, it will still
require proper care for it to last. To clean platinum pieces,
use a mild soap solution and warm water. Don't wear it while
doing household chores. Scrub it gently using a soft toothbrush
to maintain the luster. Have it inspected, polished and cleaned
by a qualified jeweler at least twice a year or even more often
if scratches appear.
With all that indispensable information put to practical use,
your platinum jewelry has just gained more value for you.
About the author:
David Arnold Livingston enjoys shopping for friends and family,
especially for holidays. He recommends the resource: Apex Platinum
Written by: David Arnold Livingston
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