The "Platinum" Standard

A new standard for precious metals has, in the past ten years or so, seen a steady rise in its popularity - THE PLATINUM STANDARD! Long considered the "king" of precious metals, especially in the bridal jewelry category, Platinum is quite a bit more expensive than gold. Two to three times the price of the 14K gold standard in fact. As such, this most precious of metals continues to enthrall consumers as their luxury metal of choice.

Platinum mania took Europe and Russia by storm beginning in the late 1800's. Crowned heads decorated themselves with anything and everything platinum. Cartier, Faberge and Tiffany used the metal for many of the legendary designs they produced during this "platinum renaissance", and the world's most famous gems; The Star of Africa and the infamous Hope Diamond were themselves placed in platinum settings. This extreme popularity for this precious metal remained until the outbreak of WWII when it was declared a "Strategic Metal" by the United States government who in turn banned its use for jewelry. Even after the war ended platinum's use continued to be shunned and 14K gold became the US standard, and, together with White Gold, almost completely obliterated platinum in jewelry design.

Platinum is once again becoming king as its popularity rises and it takes its place back in the fine jewelry spotlight. There are many reasons for platinum's resurgence not the least of which are its density and durability. Here are some other interesting platinum facts that you may not have known:

1. Platinum, in addition to being extremely dense, is also a very heavy metal; a six-inch cube weighs 165 lbs!

2. Platinum is rare; it takes ten tons of ore and eight weeks to produce a single ounce of platinum.

3. Contrary to what some people might say, platinum CAN scratch, although the way it scratches is different than most other precious metals. Platinum loses virtually no metal when scratched. Instead, the platinum separates, displacing the metal on the surface and making way for the scratch.

4. Platinum is used to make most types of catalytic converters in cars nationwide.

5. Platinum is also used extensively in the field of medicine, for catheters, pacemakers, and even anti-cancer drugs.

So the Platinum Standard is raised and so raises the bar in fine jewelry design the world over. This king of metals will remain with us as long as beauty wishes to adorn itself and designers wish to create timeless (and ageless) classics in jewelry.