What is the difference between platinum and white gold?

Platinum is naturally white, whereas yellow gold is alloyed with other metals to achieve a white look. The colour of white gold is often further enhanced by plating the piece with rhodium. This plating can wear away, however, revealing the yellow-gray colour of the white gold. A more immediate means of distinguishing the two metals is their comparative weight. Even a simple wedding band made of platinum is noticeably heavier than the same ring made of white gold, giving reassurance of its value.

How do I know that a piece of jewellery is really platinum?

All platinum jewellery is marked Platinum, Pt or Plat, Its pure platinum content can also be shown:

850 jewellery is 85% pure Platinum

900 jewellery is 90% pure Platinum

950 jewellery is 95% pure Platinum

999 jewellery is 99.9% pure Platinum

Why is a platinum ring more expensive than gold?

• The rarity of platinum means that its price is invariably higher than that of gold.
• Platinum jewellery is generally 95% pure platinum compared with 18 carat gold jewellery which is 75% gold.
• Platinum is denser than gold, so a piece of platinum jewellery weighs over a third more than the same piece made of 18 carat gold.

The process of making a piece of platinum jewellery requires a higher level of craftsmanship.

Will platinum jewellery scratch?

All precious metals can scratch, and platinum is no exception. However, the scratch on platinum is merely a displacement of the metal and none of its volume is lost. Over time platinum develops a natural patina, which many people find just as attractive as a polished finish.

Is platinum a new metal for jewellery?

Platinum was used for decoration by both the ancient Egyptian and Inca civilizations and in modern times was the first material capable of securely holding diamonds in a delicate framework. This led to a creation of the beautiful Art Deco pieces of the 1920’s. Today the understated elegance of platinum continues to enchant new generations of consumers.

How do I care for my platinum jewellery?

• Store pieces separately in a jewellery box or chamois bag so they don’t get scratched by other items of jewellery.

• Remove your platinum jewellery when doing manual work

• Don’t handle bleach or harsh chemicals when wearing platinum jewellery. Although they won’t hurt the platinum, chemicals may discolour some of the softer gemstones.

• Clean platinum periodically in the same way you clean other fine jewellery –using a pre-packaged jewellery cleaner or by soaking it in a mild solution of soap and warm water then gently rubbing it with a soft cloth.

• Have your platinum jewellery professionally cleaned once in a while.

If looked after properly your platinum jewellery should not need to be repaired. For adjustments, resizing, polishing and cleaning look for a qualified jeweller with a platinum trained bench worker.

Can I wear platinum if I have sensitive skin?

Because of its purity platinum jewellery is hypoallergenic, therefore ideal for sensitive skin.

This exquisite metal is 30 times rarer than gold. In fact, it is estimated that if all the platinum in the world were poured into one Olympic swimming pool it would be scarcely deep enough to cover your ankles. Gold would fill more than three pools. Platinum’s rarity makes it exclusive and distinctive- a celebration of your individuality.

Eternal

Platinum jewellery is a perfect choice for a lifetime of everyday wear. Its density and weight make it more durable than other jewellery metals. Platinum does not wear away and holds precious stones firmly and securely. Like all precious metals, platinum scratches. However, the scratch on a platinum piece is merely displacement of the metal and none of its volume is lost. So, even though wearing it each and every day may leave an impression on the surface, it remains what it was – a symbol for all things eternal!