FACTFILE ON THE MOST PRECIOUS OF ALL PRECIOUS JEWELLERY METALS - PLATINUM
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FACTFILE ON THE MOST PRECIOUS OF ALL PRECIOUS JEWELLERY METALS - PLATINUM
21.07.2003 /16.08
At a glance: the fascinating history, the costly extraction and processing methods and the peerless characteristics of platinum – the most precious of all precious metals.
A brief history of platinum jewellery
The first documented appearance of platinum dates back to 1.500 BC. Processing of platinum started in both North Africa and South America. To this date it is a mystery why the metal was then forgotten for a time span of a thousand years. Platinum was first used as a precious jewellery metal by Louis Cartier in around 1850. Platinum jewellery experienced its peak of popularity in the Art Deco period around the 1920`s.
The arduous process from ore to pure precious jewellery metal
In 1942 the german geologist Dr. Hans Merensky discovered the largest source of platinum anywhere in the world to the west of Johannesburg. To this day platinum remains extremely rare and is only to be found in a few places in the world. Roughly 10 tonnes of ore need to be mined in order to extract a single ounce (31.1g) of platinum. The annual quantity of platinum produced throughout the world reflects just how rare this metal is.
Pt 950 – the greatest challenge of skill and knowledge
Platinum has a set of characteristics unlike any other jewellery metal. Characteristics which unmistakably distinguish platinum from gold and silver: preciousness and exclusivity.
Platinum is predominantly processed to a grade of 950/000, i.e. each 1,000 grams of jewellery metal contains 950 grams of pure platinum (95%). This is indicated by the Pt 950 hallmark stamped on each item of jewellery. This degree of purity is in contrast to gold which normally lies between 333/000 and 750/000.
This purity is also the reason why platinum neither fades nor changes its colour. Unlike white gold – with its thin coat of rhodium.
Platinum is stronger, tougher and heavier than other jewellery metals. Even after years of wear there is scarcely any metal loss through abrasion. Platinum is also kind to the skin.
Getting to know platinum better brings its own rewards; no other jewellery metal offers the fascination of the most precious of all precious metals.