Platinum jewellery is the more expensive of the various precious metals. It is also the hardest and most durable.

Some people get confused by white gold and platinum and wonder if it is the same. In fact it is not. White gold and platinum are two entirely different metals.

White gold, in fact is, is an alloy or mixture of gold with a number of other metals such as silver and palladium for example. This is done not only to increase the hardness of the gold, which is a soft malleable metal, but also to produce that white gold effect. White gold rings are also coated with another white metal called Rhodium. A metal similar to platinum including its white color.

Platinum is a much denser metal than gold and consequently harder and more long wearing.

When buying platinum jewelry always ensure you get a guarantee that the jewelery IS platinum and that it is at least 95 percent pure. It is possible to get a lower purity of platinum which means the value is less. Other metals are sometimes alloyed such as palladium, a lower valued metal, thereby saving the jeweler some costs and increasing their profit. This information is not always passed on however with some jewelers.

Platinum goes very well with diamonds and other gems. Being a harder metal it supports the gems in their settings better and also sets of the gems, especially diamonds, to their best effect.

Maintenance is very simple. A periodic wash in warm soapy water, rinsed well and dried thoroughly is all that is needed.

Buying platinum jewellery can be a very pleasurable experience and platinum jewelry can be a treasure to last a life time.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 26th, 2006 at 5:45 pm.