Two reasons. First, your skin. Platinum is hypoallergenic and resists tarnish, making it easy for sensitive people to wear. Second, platinum's purity makes it one of the strongest, most durable metals in the world. Is platinum the same as white gold? On the contrary. To create white gold, yellow gold is alloyed with copper and silver along with small amounts of nickel and zinc to achieve a white look. As a result, it doesn't have the same purity, strength, durability, rarity or the natural white luminescence of platinum. White gold is cheaper. And the same color as platinum. What's the difference? Look closer. Yes, they're both white, but quite different. While the white gold often has a faint yellow tinge, platinum is whiter. And its luminescence makes all the difference. Now feel it. Platinum weighs 60% more than 14k gold. This is a huge difference, even with 2mm wedding bands. And an incomparably beautiful one. Are platinum and white gold similar metals? No, it is quite different. To create white gold, yellow gold is alloyed with other metals to achieve a white look. However, it does not have the same purity, strength, rarity, durability or natural white color as platinum. How should I clean my platinum jewelry? With the same care you clean other fine jewelry. Use a pre-packed jewelry cleaner or have your jeweler do it. As with all precious jewelry, store with care, separating pieces with soft cloth. Is platinum fashionable? Will it coordinate with my gold pieces? Never more so and absolutely. In fact, many platinum designs combine karat gold. The color combination is beautiful and adds versatility to your wardrobe. What are the marks inside my platinum jewelry? You're familiar with the gold standard, where 24k = 100%. The platinum standard is based on parts per thousand, where 1000 parts = 100%. All platinum alloys are derived from this standard. The two most common platinum alloys found in the US. (And the type sold by J. Mauer Jewelry) 95% Platinum: This alloy is 950 parts per 1000 and 50 parts other metals. Common quality marks are: Platinum, Plat, Pt, Pt950, 950Pt, 950Plat and Plat950. 90% Platinum: This alloy is 900 parts per 1000 and 100 parts other metals. Common quality marks are: 900Pt, Pt900, and 900Plat. Why does platinum cost more? Is it worth it? The best always costs a little more. And it's well worth it. Platinum is more pure than gold or silver. More rare, more precious and quite a bit heavier. Platinum weighs 60% more than 14k gold. Does platinum scratch? Like all precious metals platinum does scratch though its tremendous density provides a strong barrier. With highly polished pieces, it may be easier to spot a scratch, because the contrast of the polish and the scratch is greater. Unlike most precious metals, platinum loses virtually no metal when scratched. It is merely displaced on the surface. Instead, platinum separates and makes way for the scratch. Over time, a natural patina develops, a matte luster many prefer to the "just polished" look. At any age, platinum is gorgeous and distinctive. I know how rare platinum is. Will I be able to acquire more matching pieces down the road? Platinum is quite rare, and while that does influence its price, a close eye is kept on supply and demand. The international mining producers will continue to mine and refine precious platinum well into the millennium. Be assured that discriminating consumers will always be able to own platinum. Platinum Guild International |