Platinum Jewelry
Platinum jewelry is a popular pure white metal. Platinum occurs naturally in the alluvial sands of various rivers and it is very rare. Since Platinum is so rare, many cannot afford it. When someone can afford platinum jewelry it is often purchased for a bride. Wearing platinum jewelry in a rare honor that most men and women never get to experience. When a person is wearing platinum jewelry, there is a level of prestige that goes with it.
Though platinum has been around for while, there is little evidence that ancient peoples used it. However, the metal was used near modern day Ecuador, by pre-Columbian Americans to produce artifacts of a white gold-platinum alloy. Not until the Spanish conquest during the 15th and 16th centuries did the news of this new metal reach Europe. Heavier than gold, and virtually impossible to corrode with gases or chemicals, platinum was finally recognized as a newly discovered element in 1751.
Platinums use was limited by its supply. In 1820, Columbia was the only major producer of platinum, and ceased exporting it. Then, in 1822, Russian alluvial deposits were found in the gold fields of the Ural Mountains. The Russian government minted more than 500,000 ounces of platinum over the next 18 years, which introduced platinum, much like gold, as a valuable commodity.
Essentially two regions in the world satisfy the demand for platinum, they are the following two regions:
1. The Bushveld Complex just north of the South African capital which produces more than two thirds of the annual platinum supply
2. The Norilsk-Talnakh region in northern Siberia. Russia is the only nation with significant stocks of platinum, but many believe that these may be running out.
Platinum jewelry was rare until the development of high temperature jewelers torches. As jewelers became more adept at using platinum, it quickly became the diamond setting of choice, especially among brides-to-be.
History and platinum
* 1939-with the outbreak of war in Europe, the U.S. declared platinum as a strategic metal, and could no longer be used for making jewelry.
* 1947-platinum was back in vogue, and many pieces were on display at the White Heat exhibit in New York.
* 1967-Elvis and Priscilla Presley exchanged platinum wedding bands and in the following decades saw a rise in platinum popularity.
* 1997 Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo of Tokyo, Japan created a Cinderella shoe, made of 4 lbs. of platinum metals. The shoe was displayed at the Ideal Home exhibit in the UK and a small gift (not the shoe) was awarded to the woman whos foot fit the shoe exactly.
Platinum is the perfect metal for those with sensitive skin. Platinum is 90-95% pure, whereas, gold is usually 58-75% pure. Platinum is excellent alternative for people, who suffer from allergic reactions, like rashes or itching, when they wear gold jewelry like the following:
* Earrings
* Necklaces
* Rings
* Bracelets
While the gold content of jewelry is indicated by a karat stamp, (10K, 14K, 18K, etc.) the content of platinum is displayed as parts per thousand, and will be stamped 500, 850, 900, 950, etc. Higher numbers mean the more platinum that is in the jewelry.
Today, platinum is a rare, pure white metal that will give the wearer a feeling of prestige and notoriety. Since the late 1980s platinum has become the white metal of choice by many brides. A very wearable and durable metal, platinum is a viable choice for your jewelry needs.
To buy fine estate jewelry and fine new jewelry you can go to Gray & Sons Jewelry. You can shop from their free catalog, shop online, or shop in their jewelry showroom located in Miami, Florida. In addition to buying fine jewelry and watches, you can sell or consign jewelry, also.
Though platinum has been around for while, there is little evidence that ancient peoples used it. However, the metal was used near modern day Ecuador, by pre-Columbian Americans to produce artifacts of a white gold-platinum alloy. Not until the Spanish conquest during the 15th and 16th centuries did the news of this new metal reach Europe. Heavier than gold, and virtually impossible to corrode with gases or chemicals, platinum was finally recognized as a newly discovered element in 1751.
Platinums use was limited by its supply. In 1820, Columbia was the only major producer of platinum, and ceased exporting it. Then, in 1822, Russian alluvial deposits were found in the gold fields of the Ural Mountains. The Russian government minted more than 500,000 ounces of platinum over the next 18 years, which introduced platinum, much like gold, as a valuable commodity.
Essentially two regions in the world satisfy the demand for platinum, they are the following two regions:
1. The Bushveld Complex just north of the South African capital which produces more than two thirds of the annual platinum supply
2. The Norilsk-Talnakh region in northern Siberia. Russia is the only nation with significant stocks of platinum, but many believe that these may be running out.
Platinum jewelry was rare until the development of high temperature jewelers torches. As jewelers became more adept at using platinum, it quickly became the diamond setting of choice, especially among brides-to-be.
History and platinum
* 1939-with the outbreak of war in Europe, the U.S. declared platinum as a strategic metal, and could no longer be used for making jewelry.
* 1947-platinum was back in vogue, and many pieces were on display at the White Heat exhibit in New York.
* 1967-Elvis and Priscilla Presley exchanged platinum wedding bands and in the following decades saw a rise in platinum popularity.
* 1997 Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo of Tokyo, Japan created a Cinderella shoe, made of 4 lbs. of platinum metals. The shoe was displayed at the Ideal Home exhibit in the UK and a small gift (not the shoe) was awarded to the woman whos foot fit the shoe exactly.
Platinum is the perfect metal for those with sensitive skin. Platinum is 90-95% pure, whereas, gold is usually 58-75% pure. Platinum is excellent alternative for people, who suffer from allergic reactions, like rashes or itching, when they wear gold jewelry like the following:
* Earrings
* Necklaces
* Rings
* Bracelets
While the gold content of jewelry is indicated by a karat stamp, (10K, 14K, 18K, etc.) the content of platinum is displayed as parts per thousand, and will be stamped 500, 850, 900, 950, etc. Higher numbers mean the more platinum that is in the jewelry.
Today, platinum is a rare, pure white metal that will give the wearer a feeling of prestige and notoriety. Since the late 1980s platinum has become the white metal of choice by many brides. A very wearable and durable metal, platinum is a viable choice for your jewelry needs.
To buy fine estate jewelry and fine new jewelry you can go to Gray & Sons Jewelry. You can shop from their free catalog, shop online, or shop in their jewelry showroom located in Miami, Florida. In addition to buying fine jewelry and watches, you can sell or consign jewelry, also.
Source...