Platinum: A Basic Guide
Platinum is a natural white metal that comes directly from the earth. Unlike white gold that needs to be alloyed with other white metals to mask its yellow color, platinum is manufactured into jewelry that’s 90 or 95 pure. Platinum is extremely long wearing and is genuinely white, so it doesn’t need to be rhodium plated like white gold does.
Platinum is a truly heavy and compact metal, so a platinum ring will feel much heavier than an 18kt gold ring.
Rarity
Platinum is 30 times rarer than gold and is inaugurated in genuinely multiple places in the world, predominantly South Africa and Russia, and to a lesser extent in Zimbabwe, Canada and South America. Every age only 88 tons of platinum is made into jewelry, compared with tons of gold. It takes eight weeks to produce one single ounce (31.1 grams) of platinum. There are also fewer platinum mines. For every 10 gold mines there’s just one platinum mine.
Platinum is more precious than gold. With all other effects being the same, a platinum ring will be roughly twice the price of an 18kt white gold ring. This is because of three factors. Platinum is consequently thick, so, in turn, the platinum ring will weigh about 25 additional than 18kt. The cost of platinum is over double the cost of gold and platinum is 15 to 20 farther pure in metal content moreover 18kt gold.
Platinum is a prestigious selection, oftentimes chosen for its sophisticated appeal and voguishness among the rich and prominent.
Platinum Purity & Blends
- 950 platinum contains 95 pure platinum (950 parts per thousand parts).
- 900 platinum contains 95 pure platinum (900 parts per thousand parts).
- Blends used with platinum are Iridium, Cobalt, Palladium, Tungsten and Ruthenium
How Platinum is Marked/Stamped
Jewellery is commonly stamped with a marking to show the type of platinum.
- For 950 Platinum the stamp will generally be additionally the number 950 or Platinum, Pt or Plat.
- For 900 Platinum the stamp will naturally be furthermore the number 900 or Platinum, Pt or Plat.
Platinum Jewelry
Platinum isn’t naturally used in the full range of jewelry products due to the weight of the metal, and price. Platinum is generally used in ladies engagement rings, ladies wedding rings and men’s wedding rings. Platinum can also be used to make fashion or colored stone rings, though it isn’t normally used to make earrings, pendants, bracelets, or necklaces, overall because of the weight of the metal.
