Platinum
Platinum is a white metal, but unlike gold it is used in jewellery in almost its pure form Platinum, platinum jewellery, Kelowna, Canada, jewellery, Jewellery(approximately 95% pure)

 Platinum, platinum jewellery, Kelowna, Canada, jewellery, JewelleryPlatinum is extremely long wearing and is very white, so it does not need to be Rhodium plated like white gold.

Platinum is very dense (heavy), so a Platinum ring will feel much heavier than an 18Kt gold ring.

Platinum is, however, very expensive.  A Platinum ring will be approximately two to three times the the price of an 18Kt white gold ring (excluding gemstone costs).  For current spot prices click here.
The History of Platinum

Although Platinum may seem new, it is also legendary.  The ancient Egyptians and South American Incas prized it.  France's Louis XVI proclaimed it the only metal fit for royalty.

Legendary jewelers such as Cartier, Faberge and Tiffany created their timeless designs in Platinum. The world's famous diamonds, including the Hope, Jonker I and Koh-I-Noor, are secured by the permanence of Platinum.

Platinum reached its peak of popularity in the early 1900's when it was the preferred metal for all fine jewellery.  When World War II began, the U.S. government declared Platinum a strategic metal and its use in non-military applications, including jewellery, was disallowed.  To appease consumers who preferred Platinum's white lustre and to provide a more affordable alternative, white gold was developed.
 
 What is Platinum?

Beneath its subtle beauty and understated elegance lie the properties which make Platinum truly unique.

Platinum is strong
It is the heaviest of the precious metals, weighing almost twice as much as karat gold.  Its strength ideally secures diamonds and other precious gems.  Even after many years, Platinum will not wear away or wear down.

Platinum is pure
In America, Platinum jewellery contains either 90% or 95% pure Platinum.  By comparison, 18K gold is 75% pure and 14 karat is 57% pure gold.  Only Platinum will never tarnish or lose its rich white luster.  Because Platinum is so pure, it is hypoallergenic.

Platinum is rare
Ten tons of ore must be mined to produce a single ounce of Platinum.  It takes five months to process Platinum ore into pure Platinum.  Only after this time can skilled hands work their creativity and craftsmanship, transforming Platinum into pieces of wearable art.
How to Buy and Care for Platinum jewellery

Platinum jewellery made in North America contains either 90% or 95% pure Platinum.  Platinum jewellery marked "IRIDPLAT" contains 90% Platinum and 10% iridium.  When marked "PLAT" an item is at least 95% Platinum, with 5% ruthenium.

Platinum jewellery should be cleaned the same way you clean other fine jewellery. Use a pre-packaged jewellery cleaner or have it professionally cleaned by your jeweler.  As with all precious jewellery, store with care, not allowing pieces to touch or scratch each other.

Interesting Facts

All the Platinum mined since the beginning of time, worldwide, would only fill a cube measuring about 25 feet on all sides.

A 6 inch cube of Platinum weighs as much as an average man.

It takes 6 months of processing to produce a single troy ounce of Platinum!

Over 20% of all consumer goods either contain Platinum or are produced using Platinum.
Approximately 8 to 10 tons of raw ore must be mined to produce just one pure ounce of Platinum!

Roughly 90% of all Platinum supplies come from South Africa and Russia.

Gasoline, hard disk drives, anti-cancer drugs, fibre-optic cables, LCD displays, eyeglasses, fertilizers, explosives, paints and pacemakers, all rely on Platinum.