Platinum Jewelry

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Platinum Jewelry
For centuries, platinum jewelry has been equated with the best of the best. In the world’s finest jewelry, from the court of Louis XVI (where it was declared the only metal fit for kings) through the Art Deco of the Jazz Age until today, platinum’s beauty, strength and durability have kept it firmly at the top of the most-precious list. Did you know, for example, that 10 tons of ore need to be crushed in order to yield just a single ounce of the metal? That a one-gram nugget of platinum can be stretched into a wire that extends a mile and a quarter in length? That, today, one out of every four brides chooses platinum for her wedding set. Most important for jewelry-buyers is that platinum’s superior strength and durability make it the ideal setting for any gemstone, particularly a diamond. And its lustrous, pure-white color makes the diamond sparkle like nothing else. Look for jewelry that highlights the metal’s beauty, with intricate basketweave, filigree, engraving and millegrain details, as well as lacy, openwork designs. Or choose a ring with the fascinating tension setting, where the diamond appears to float unsupported between two pieces of platinum, held in place by the metal’s sheer strength. When buying platinum jewelry, be sure to look for the hallmarks that tell you the metal’s purity. Most platinum jewelry sold in the U.S. is 85% to 95% pure and will be marked 850Pt, Pt850 or 850Plat; or 950Pt, Pt950 or 950Plat. If a piece is 95% pure, it may be simply labeled “platinum.”

Article
In a Class by Itself… Platinum For centuries, platinum has been equated with the best of the best. In the world’s finest jewelry, from the court of Louis XVI (where it was declared the only metal fit for kings) through the Art Deco of the Jazz Age until today, platinum’s beauty, strength and durability have kept it firmly at the top of the most-precious list.
The Power of Platinum Platinum is one of those supercharged words that always signifies the best of the best. Jewelry made of platinum has a status and image unlike any other. But this is nothing new. Platinum’s desirability and use go back thousands of years.
A Platinum Love Affair To call the resurgence of platinum a trend is a bit of a misnomer. Hardly new, platinum was revered even in ancient Egyptians' time. By the end of the 19th century, it was the preferred metal for jewelry design, remaining so until World War II, when the government declared platinum a strategic metal and banned its use for jewelry. By the War's end, platinum simmered on the industry's back burner.
It's Time to Add to Your Platinum Jewelry Wardrobe If you are one of the many women who chose a platinum engagement ring or wedding set, there are lots of exciting new designs just waiting to be included in your platinum jewelry wardrobe.
Platinum's Turbulent History It's almost hard to believe that platinum, one of the world's rarest, most durable and unquestionably beautiful metals, has spent so much of history being misunderstood.
White Hot: A Stylish Platinum Gift Guide Platinum jewelry is a hot commodity - as desirable with women today as it was with the platinum blondes of the 1930s. Times and styles may have changed, but elegance remains.
Why Do We Love Platinum? Let Us Count the Ways… It's hot, it's cool - and it's the last word in fine jewelry fashion. What is it? Platinum, of course!
Why Platinum Is Worth the Price As you look through our cases during the holiday season you may notice that our platinum selections have significantly higher price tags than the ones shown in white gold. The question may come up, Why buy platinum when white gold will do the trick? Well, here's the inside scoop.