The purity, rarity and eternity of platinum

Platinum has been around for centuries and is an element that is found in meteorites; the first meteorite to impact with earth was over two billion years ago. Since then platinum has made sporadic appearances throughout history from the ancient Egyptians to the pre-Incan civilizations and the Spanish conquistadors. In the 1700's platinum again gained popularity with kings and alchemists alike and today it is used for jewellery being ever popular with movie stars, the glitterati and the general public alike.

The qualities of platinum

The purity of platinum is evident in this precious metal's brilliant white lustre which helps to reflect the true radiance of diamonds. Platinum is generally 95% pure while 18 karat gold is only 75% pure, this means that platinum jewellery does not fade or tarnish and it keeps it shine for a lifetime. Do to the purity ratio of platinum it is a hypoallergenic material and is the ideal substance for jewellery for those who have sensitive skin. There is a limited supply of platinum and it is found only in a few places in the world; this precious metal is 30 times rarer than gold. It is often estimated that if all the platinum in the world were to be pured in to an Olympic size swimming pool it would scarcely be deep enough to cover your ankles where as gold could fill three swimming pools.

Due to the density and weight of platinum it makes it the ideal substance for a lifetime of everyday wear. Platinum does not wear away and it is known for its quality of holding precious stones firmly in place. Although just as any other precious metal scratches, platinum jewellery also scratches but unlike other precious metals the platinum is simply displaced but does not decrease in volume. Platinum is well known for its pliability as a gram of this metal can be stretched out to a wire of almost 2 kilometers. This quality enables jewellers to make fine pieces of mesh work that is not possible with other precious metals. The use of platinum is not only for the jewellery industry but is also in demand in other industries such as medicine where this metal acts as a life saving element.

How to care for platinum jewellery

Although platinum is consider eternal there are a few habits that can ensure that your jewellery always remains in the best condition.

• The most important thing to remember about platinum jewellery and other jewellery pieces alike is that all jewellery should be stored separately to avoid the jewellery pieces from scratching one another.
• Ensure that you have all your precious pieces of jewellery stored in a safe place and that all your jewellery is insured for its worth. If you do not know the value for the piece then you should take your jewellery to a local jeweller to have it valuated.
• Platinum jewellery should be cleaned periodically which will help to ensure the premium appearance of your jeweller and that it lasts.
• Platinum jewellery can be cleaned just as you would clean other precious metals. The jewellery can either be soaked in a pre-packed jewellery cleaner or luke warm soaky water and then gently rubbed with a soft cloth.
• If you have precious stones that are set in platinum then your jewellery should be cleaned every six months by a professional.
• Platinum jewellery should never be worn while doing the gardening, cleaning or working with bleach and chemicals. Although the chemicals will not tarnish the platinum it could discolor precious stones that are set in the jewellery.

Platinum jewellery is an investment for a lifetime that is a symbol of eternity and purity. For quality workmanship and high standard of platinum then you should go to no other jeweller except Barnes Jewellers. Barnes Jewellers can craft platinum to ensure that you have exquisite pieces of jewellery that are a reflection of who you are. Contact Barnes Jewellers to find out more about the services that they offer.