Platinum at Market

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Platinum as a jewellery metal

In most of the countries in which platinum jewellery is manufactured, it is made in a purity of at least 85 per cent platinum. Other platinum group metals - palladium, ruthenium and iridium - and copper and cobalt are commonly alloyed with platinum to optimise its working characteristics and wear properties.

Among the main advantages of platinum for jewellery fabrication is its strength and resistance to tarnish. It can be repeatedly heated and cooled without hardening and oxidation effects, while even the most slender sections of platinum permanently retain their shape, providing a secure setting for diamonds and giving jewellery designers a freedom of invention not always possible with other materials. Perhaps the best example of platinum's technical virtuosity is the tension ring, in which a gemstone is held in place by the tensile strength of the platinum ring shank alone.

Platinum does make certain demands on the jeweller's skills. It requires high temperature melting and casting equipment (pure platinum melts at 1769'C) and a scrupulously clean working environment. Careful attention to polishing technique is needed to achieve the highly reflective finish which shows a diamond or other precious stone at its best.

Early Uses

More than 2,000 years ago the Indian civilisations of South America made rings and ornaments from platinum nuggets found in river beds. An even earlier example of platinum as a decorative material is found on an Egyptian casket from the 7th century BC.

The modern platinum jewellery tradition began with the European court jewellers of the 18th century and developed with the great jewellers of the Edwardian and Art Deco periods such as Cartier and Tiffany. A boom in platinum jewellery followed, with the USA accounting for the bulk of demand. With the economic depression of the 1930s and the advent of World War II, when platinum became a controlled material, its use for jewellery declined.

Growth of Demand

Platinum demand growth restarted in Japan in the 1960s. Platinum gained a special status in Japan, combining high purity, prestige and value with an appeal, by virtue of its white colour, to traditional Japanese modesty and sobriety. Japan rapidly became the world's principal platinum jewellery market.

A European revival began in the 1970s in Germany, where jewellers gave platinum a distinct identity characterised by stark modern design and the prevalent use of a satin finish. Demand began to grow in Italy in the 1980s and in Switzerland and the United Kingdom in the 1990s.

In the last decade platinum has undergone a renaissance in North America due to the widespread appeal of platinum bridal jewellery. Demand for the white metal in China has surged since 1995, especially among young urban women seeking the modern style that platinum jewellery represents.

History of Platinum

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Platinum Facts !

All the platinum ever mined would fit in the average size living room!
Annually, only about 133 tons of platinum are mined, compared to about 1,782 tons of gold.
Louis XVI of France proclaimed platinum the only metal fit for royalty!
10 tons of ore and a five month process is needed to make up one ounce of platinum.

Although Platinum may seem new, it is also legendary. The Ancient Egyptians and South American Incas prized it. France's Louis XVI proclaimed it the only metal fit for royalty.

Legendary jewelers such as Cartier, Faberge and Tiffany created their timeless designs in Platinum. The world's famous diamonds, including the Hope, Jonker I and Koh-I-Noor, are secured by the permanence of Platinum.

Platinum reached its peak of popularity in the early 1900's, when it was the preferred metal for all fine jewelry in America. When World War II began, the U.S. government declared Platinum a strategic metal and its use in non-military applications, including jewelry, was disallowed. To appease consumers, who preferred Platinum's white luster, white gold was substituted in Platinum's absence.

Today, Platinum again charms and enchants a new generation of consumers. Rare, classic and timeless, Platinum is one of earth's rarest gifts.

Platinum is Fashionable !

It is very fashionable to wear Platinum with your gold jewelry. In fact, many Platinum designs combine the two metals. Platinum's white color beautifully contrasts with yellow gold and adds versatility to your jewelry wardrobe.

No other jewelry metal is more precious, more lasting or more appealing than platinum. Its rich white luster and understated elegance are beyond compare. Discover why platinum is the metal of choice for today's discriminating jewelry buyer.

Platinum is Strong !

It is the heaviest of the precious metals, weighing almost twice as much as karat gold. Its strength ideally secures diamonds and other precious gems.

Even after many years, platinum will not wear away or wear down. For example, after many years of wear, a gold wedding band's shank will wear down and become thinner. This is not the case with platinum.

As with all precious metals (gold, silver, etc.), platinum can be scratched. However, with platinum, there is actually no material lost from the scratch as there is with gold. If your platinum jewelry becomes scratched, simply take it to your jeweler for a quick polish.

Platinum is Pure !

In America, platinum jewelry contains either 90% or 95% pure platinum. By comparison, 18 karat gold is 75% pure and 14 karat is 58% pure gold. Platinum will never tarnish or lose its rich white luster.

Platinum is Rare !

Ten tons of ore must be mined to produce a single ounce of platinum. It takes five months to process platinum ore into pure platinum. Only after this time can skilled hands work their creativity and craftsmanship, transforming platinum into pieces of wearable art.

Platinum is Versatile !

Platinum jewelry is as versatile as it is beautiful. The choice is yours: platinum with karat gold accents for breathtaking new versatility or, for the purist, the subtle look of all platinum.
Whether inspired by classic or contemporary themes, platinum jewelry is perfect for any occasion under the sun, moon or stars. A quiet luxury in today's world. A treasure to be worn.

Platinum Corner

Platinum at Market

History of Platinum