How to Buy Platinum Jewellery
Once upon a time, gold was considered the epitome of luxury. The yellow metal marked all special occasions, including birthdays and weddings. It was purchased, gifted, and handed down from one generation to another.
Wait!
The scene is slowly changing. People still buy gold, both as jewellery and as an investment. But when it comes to buying jewellery to mark special occasions, another metal has taken the place of gold.
Any guesses?
Yes, platinum! Do you know that this white metal is called the Metal of Kings? It is renowned for its rarity, luster, strength, and versatility. No wonder, people are increasingly choosing platinum rings for their engagements and weddings. A durable metal to mark the beginning of a durable relationship, you see.
Are you planning to buy platinum rings, chains, or pendants? There are a few things you should know. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed choice.
A Metal of Kings
While platinum may have gained fame recently, it is not a new metal. It was discovered centuries ago, but was not used to craft jewellery until about 200 years ago. It is believed that the ancient Egyptians were the first to forge things out of platinum. However, the technique of working with this metal was lost as time progressed.
The metal was discovered once again in the 1600s by the Spanish Conquistadors. This time, people misunderstood it as an unusable form of gold. It was much later that jewelers found new ways of moulding platinum into jewellery.
One of the first recorded instances of jewellery made in platinum was in the French King Louis XVI’s court. It soon began to be associated with Kings and royalty. In fact, King Louis even declared that this metal is fit only for kings.
The King of Metals
Platinum is not just the metal fit for kings. It is the king of all precious metals too. So, what makes this metal so special and valuable? Read on to know more.
The dearth of this metal is one of the reasons why it is so valuable. Do you know that it is considered 30 times rarer than gold? To produce one ounce of pure platinum, 10 tons of platinum ore need to be mined.
That’s not all!
Rarity is only one feature that determines the value of this white metal. It has many other properties that make it popular as well. Here are some of them.
It does not fade.
Surprised? Yes, it is true! In its natural form, platinum has a white luster. This may make it appear similar to white gold. However, there is an important difference between how these two metals look. White gold has a yellow undertone and must be coated with rhodium to achieve its white look. With time this coating wears out. Thus, white gold jewellery needs to be re-plated every few years.
That’s not the case with platinum.
It will never lose its shine. Whether it is new or handed down from one generation to the next, it will always shine brightly. This means your beautiful platinum earrings or rings will look as good down ten years as they do today!
It is the purest metal used to make jewellery
Gold in its raw form is 24 carat. But pure gold is soft and cannot hold its shape for long. Hence, it must be mixed with other metals such as nickel or copper. Gold jewellery usually has 58% or 75% purity. That is, 22k is the highest purity of gold used to make jewellery, followed by 18k and 14k,
On the other hand, platinum is a hard metal, so it doesn’t have to be mixed with other metals. Jewellery made from this metal usually has 95% purity. On its own, platinum is hypoallergenic. Hence, jewellery made of this metal is ideal for those with sensitive skin.
It is durable
Some forms of jewellery such as rings and bangles see more wear and tear as compared to others like earrings. For this reason the intricate details of gold rings tend to get ‘rubbed off’ with time.
However, platinum is a dense metal that is very durable. This is ideal for everyday jewellery and will not wear out. The details of a vintage platinum ring will be as clear today as they were when the ring was first made.
It is strong
The strength of this white metal makes it an ideal meat to set diamonds and other precious gemstones. In a prong setting, you can rest assured that platinum prongs will never break or loosen.
Tips and Tricks to Identify Platinum
Platinum is expensive and hence you must be sure that the jewellery you are buying is in fact platinum. If you are not careful, you may buy white gold or silver in place of platinum. Here are a few tips to help you identify the metal.
The Platinum Hallmark - One of the first things to look for on a piece of jewellery is the platinum hallmark. This is written either as Pt or PLAT. It may be preceded or followed by numbers such as 900,950 or 999 to indicate its purity. In India, most platinum jewellery is marked as Pt950. Also, insist on a quality assurance card with each piece of jewellery you purchase.
The Scratch Test - This test helps distinguish between platinum and silver. Platinum is a hard metal as compared to the latter. When you buy jewellery, run your nail along the surface. If the metal scratches, it is not pure platinum. It may be silver or platinum alloyed with silver.
The Magnet Test - Do you know that precious metals such as platinum are nonmagnetic? So, you can use the magnet test to determine whether the metal you buy is real or not. To test the purity of your platinum, bring it near a magnet. If it reacts, the jewellery is not platinum or is a platinum alloy.
Caring for Platinum: Let It Shine Forever
Platinum does not fade with time but it will take on a patina as it ages. With proper care, platinum jewellery can last for generations. Here are a few tips to help you care for your trinkets:
Avoid wearing platinum rings while doing manual work such as gardening. You should also take your jewellery off while handling abrasive chemicals. While the metal itself may not be damaged, this kind of work can damage stones studding the ring.
Store your platinum pendants, rings, and earrings jewellery in fabric-lined boxes with individual pockets. Alternatively, you could store each piece in a small fabric bag. This ensures that your jewellery does not rub against other pieces.
If your platinum jewellery needs to be repaired or resized, use pure platinum stock for the same. Many jewelers use white gold to resize jewellery. This can lead to dark marks along the places where the metals have been soldered together.
Clean your platinum jewellery regularly. For this, all you need to do is soak your jewellery in a warm water and soap solution for a few minutes. If dirt is still embedded in the jewellery, use a soft bristled toothbrush to clean the same.
Platinum takes on a natural patina finish. If this does not appeal to you, you can either have it buffed every year or plated with rhodium. The latter may also need to be repeated every six months or annually.
Now that you know everything (almost everything) about this white metal, why not buy a piece of jewellery made of it. Typically, people buy it to make special occasions. But guess what? Platinum will make every occasion special. So, don’t wait till your wedding or engagement to own a piece of platinum.
