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PLATINUM
One
of the rarest precious metals, platinum is found in only a few locations
around the world. Because of its beauty
and value, platinum jewelry has always been given as a special expression
of love for engagements, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and
holidays.
Platinum
has a rich and noble history. It was first used by the ancient Egyptians
about three thousand years ago. Eight hundred years later, the Incas
worked with platinum. The first platinum jewelry in Europe appeared
around the year 1780, at the court of Louis XVI of France.
Many
of the world's most famous diamonds, including the Hope Diamond,
are set in platinum. Carl Fabergé, the famed 19th-century
Russian jeweler, prized working in platinum, as did Louis Cartier
of Paris and many other great jewelers throughout history.
WHY PLATINUM?
Platinum
is among the finest, purest and rarest precious metals.
It
has an understated elegance that appeals to both men and women.
Platinum jewelry is pure.
In the United States platinum jewelry generally contains anywhere
from 85 to 95 percent pure platinum. By comparison, 18-karat gold
is 75 percent pure gold and 14-karat gold is only 58 percent pure
gold.
Platinum is rare.
To produce a single ounce of finished platinum, a total of 10
tons of ore must be mined. In comparison, only three tons of ore
are required to produce one ounce of gold. This rarity gives platinum
its cachet.
Platinum
is lustrous.
Platinum's rich, white luster complements diamonds and other
precious gems while its neutral color enhances a stone's brilliance
and depth.
Platinum
is fashionable.
Platinum jewelry appeals to many people today because of its
subtle beauty and understated elegance. Many platinum jewelry designs
are accented with 18-karat gold, creating a sophisticated, versatile
and fashionable look.
COMMON
QUESTIONS ABOUT PLATINUM JEWELRY
Why
is platinum's purity important to me?
Platinum,
one of the world's strongest metals, is hypoallergenic, tarnish-resistant,
and extremely durable.
Is
platinum the same as white gold?
No,
it is quite different. During World War II, the U.S. government
prohibited platinum use in non-military applications, including
jewelry. Because of strong consumer preference for platinum's pure
white luster, white gold was substituted in platinum's absence.
To create white gold, yellow gold is alloyed with other metals to
achieve a white look. However, platinum is white to begin with and
maintains its white luster permanently. Its purity, strength, rarity,
durability and naturally rich, white color make it the best choice.
How
should I care and clean my platinum jewelry?
Platinum
jewelry should be cleaned the same way you clean other fine jewelry.
Use a good prepackaged jewelry cleaner available at your local jeweler
or have it professionally cleaned by your local jeweler. As with
all precious jewelry, handle with care, not allowing pieces to touch
or scratch each other.
Will
platinum scratch?
Signs
of wear, including scratches, will inevitably appear in all precious
metals, even in platinum. However, due to platinum's durability
and strength there is usually little metal loss when the piece is
scratched. If your platinum jewelry does develop visible scratches,
you should have the piece repolished by a professional jeweler.
Will
platinum coordinate with my gold jewelry?
Platinum's
white color beautifully contrasts with yellow gold and adds versatility
to your existing wardrobe.
HOW
TO BUY PLATINUM JEWELRY
- One
of the strongest and most enduring of metals, it is also one of
the heaviest. A piece of jewelry containing 90 percent pure platinum
weighs 60 percent more than a 14-karat gold piece of similar size.
Platinum is ideal for jewelry that's worn everyday because it
shows little wear. It's also hypoallergenic and resists tarnish.
If a piece of platinum jewelry is marked "Platinum"
then it contains at least 95 percent pure platinum. Jewelry with
85 to 95 percent pure platinum is marked "950 Plat."
or "950 Pt.," "850 Plat." or "850 Pt.,"
etc. Both the two- and four-letter abbreviation for platinum is
used.
- Jewelry
containing at least 50 percent pure platinum and at least 95 percent
platinum group metals (platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, rhodium
and ruthenium) is marked with the platinum content followed by
the content of the other metal. For example: "600 Plat. 350
Irid." or "600 Pt. 350 Ir."
- Jewelry
containing less than 50 percent pure platinum content cannot be
marked with the word "platinum" or any abbreviation
thereof.
- A
professional jeweler can explain these platinum markings to you
and assist you in selecting platinum jewelry that will bring pleasure
to you and the recipient for years to come.
YOUR
PLATINUM JEWELRY WARDROBE
Whether
you choose a ring, pin, bracelet, earrings, necklace or bridal jewelry,
you can find new and sophisticated platinum designs. Some are all
platinum for a sophisticated look, but many feature 18-karat gold
accents. As platinum's pure white luster, strength and durability
are recognized and admired, bridal couples worldwide are rediscovering
platinum as the metal of choice for engagement, wedding and anniversary
jewelry. Because platinum is superior to other metals in strength
and durability, it offers the greatest protection as a diamond setting.
The breathtaking radiance of a diamond fused with the timeless elegance
of platinum creates a rare and enduring symbol of love.
WHERE
TO BUY PLATINUM JEWELRY?
Platinum
jewelry can be worn over a lifetime and passed on to future generations,
so where you buy it is important. To make sure that you buy jewelry
you will be happy with for years to come, follow this simple rule:
buy from a professional you can trust. Someone who has been serving
the community for a number of years and has an established reputation.
Argenti
Designer Jewelers is a member of Jewelers of America, the national
association for retail jewelers. This is your guarantee that Argenti
Designer Jewelers are knowledgeable, with a wide selection that
will make putting your platinum jewelry wardrobe together easy and
fun. They will not only help you with this purchase but they will
be there in the future to answer all your questions and help you
with your purchases, repairs, and custom design.
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