Platinum is regarded as a superior metal for fine jewelry and is used in many exquisite diamond engagement rings. It is 35 times more rare than gold and is naturally white. It is the strongest metal used in jewelry and is 90 to 95 percent pure. The high purity level makes this metal hypoallergenic and is an ideal choice for a person who has sensitive skin. Because platinum is almost twice as heavy as 14K gold, it is very durable.

Platinum is used as an almost pure metal, approximately 95% pure, whereas white gold is only 75% pure in 18ct and only 58.5% pure in 14ct.  Being a naturally white metal, platinum does not need the rhodium treatment, because it starts off white and will always stay white.  It is more dense (heavier) than gold & you can feel a noticeable difference in weight between the same article made in platinum and gold.

Platinum’s best property (still need this engagement ring insured) as far as jewelry is concerned is its abrasive resistance. Platinum rings and in particular platinum claws will still be in great condition many years after the equivalent gold article is worn away. This is quite amazing when you consider that platinum is relatively soft and bends more easily than gold.

The reason Platinum is a desirable metal for making jewelry is because it is very malleable and can be formed without cracking or tearing. Once platinum prongs are bent to hold a diamond they will stay in that position and not spring back.

It takes 10 tons of ore to produce a single ounce of platinum. There is only one platinum mine for every 10 gold mines which make this metal one of the rarest. On an average, 88 tons of platinum is used to craft jewelry, compared to 2,700 tons of gold each year.

The purity of platinum is expressed as parts per thousand and the number designation represents how many parts per thousand are contained in the metal. The marks used on platinum jewelry are 900Plat, 950Plat or just Plat. Platinum is usually alloyed with metals in the platinum group which are similar in weight and chemistry to platinum.

Over the last 200 years platinum has resurged itself in popularity. It was held in high esteem during the early Egyptian times. The Spanish conquistadors discovered platinum in the New Word when they were mining for gold. The considered it worthless and discarded it. In the 18th century King Louis XVI elevated platinum’s popularity by calling it the metal of kings.

The Art Deco Period was when platinum became popular in modern jewelry. The strength and malleability of this metal allowed artisans to create filigree and wire patterns that were popular during this period. Its regained status over the years as earned it the reputation of being the most preferred metal used in engagement rings.

Even though it is growing in popularity it still remains one of the world’s rarest metals. The yearly worldwide production of platinum only amounts to about 160 tons compared to approximately 1,500 tons of gold. One reason it is so rare is because the mining and refining process is time consuming. To extract one ounce of platinum over 10 tons of ore has to be mined. The refining process is no short matter as it takes five months minimum. Russia and South Africa are the few regions where platinum can be mined and the primary sources of this metal exist mainly in their mountains.

If you love the look of platinum but can’t afford the cost. There is an alternative metal that is increasing in popularity called Palladium. It is part of the platinum metal group and is an excellent alternative to platinum. Palladium has the lowest melting point in its metal group and is extremely resistant to corrosion. It will not tarnish and is whiter and lighter than platinum. If you are in the market for an ring you might want to look into Palladium for that special ring.

 Why not choose platinum for your next engagement ring? Heck, Ed Swiderski gave Jillian Harris a $60,000 platinum ring set with a 2.05-carat pear-shaped center diamond with six baguette-cut diamonds to accent the center stone and 94 round-cut diamonds.  If it’s good enough for Jillian, it’s good enough for me.