The Truth About Platinum
Is platinum a new metal?
After all, in the past, one would associate diamonds with gold.
Nowadays, the most expensive fine jewelry designs set diamonds
in platinum.
The truth is, platinum has been on this earth for billions of
years. This brilliant metal really came from the skies.
Meteorites contain platinum and meteorites have been landing on
earth for billions of years already.
Kind of romantic if you think about it.
That pure white platinum jewelry could once have been part of a
star. Part of a meteorite that travelled through space before it
landed in our world.
Ironically, there was a time when platinum was thought to be an
inferior metal by people searching for gold. Platinum looks like
silver, so in 1590, when the Spanish discovered platinum, they
named it platina, which means little silver. The newly
rediscovered platinum was thrown back into the river, its value
totally misunderstood at that time.
2 centuries later, King Louis XVI of France declared platinum to
be the only metal fit for kings. Thus began the love of platinum
by the royals. In fact, the late Queen Mother, Queen Elisabeth's
crown was made of platinum. Owning a piece of platinum jewelry
today gives you something in common with the royals. Both you
and the royals wear platinum.
Even Hollywood Royalty appreciates the value of platinum. The
King, Elvis Presley exchanged platinum wedding rings with his
wife Priscilla. Joe Dimaggio gave Marilyn Monroe 3 carat
solitaire diamond platinum engagement ring. Movie legends would
set their diamonds in platinum. In fact, diamond platinum engagement rings are the preferred
engagement rings of the well heeled.
Platinum is a special metal. It does not fade or tarnish. It
does not corrode. In fact, it is so lasting, platinum was used
to make the standard kilogram weight. Platinum is eternal.
Diamonds are eternal. That is one of the reasons why diamonds
and platinum are the perfect match.
Another reason why diamonds an platinum go together is the color
of platinum. Platinum is a brilliant white. Diamonds are graded
on their color among other factors. The whiter the diamond, the
higher its value. When a diamond is set in
platinum, the whiteness of the platinum makes the diamond look
whiter, brighter, more precious.
Platinum is extremely pliable. It can be drawn into a very fine
wire very easily. Yet it is so strong. That means jewellers can
create very intricate jewelry pieces with platinum. Jewellers
can create fine prongs with platinum with which to hold the
diamond, yet these thin prongs are so strong they hold the
diamond securely.
Diamonds aside, platinum is the metal of choice for anyone who
has sensitive skin. Jewelry rash can occur even with gold
jewelry. The impurities in most other metals, including gold,
can cause a rash. The rash could even happen years later, after
wearing the jewelry daily for long periods of time.
Platinum wearers don't have to worry about jewelry rash.
Platinum is 95% pure. Platinum is hypoallergenic, so the best
way to deal with a jewelry rash is to switch to platinum.
The problem with platinum is that it is so rare. It is 35 times
rarer than gold. There is so little platinum on earth, yet its
uses are so wide. Because platinum is compatible with the human
body, platinum is used in medicine, to make pace makers, for
example. Platinum is also a catalyst and is essential in many
chemical processes. Platinum is such a precious metal that
during World War II, U.S. banned platinum from being used for
any non-military purpose. That is why, for so many years,
platinum was not used in jewelry making.
Due to its rarity, platinum is an excellent precious metal to
invest in. Anything that is so rare and has so many uses would
appreciate in price, with time, which makes platinum jewelry a
wise investment
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com
