Platinum is a heavy precious metal. Because it is both dense and easily malleable, it is primarily used in the jewelry industry. Its name comes from the Spanish word "platina," which means "little silver." It is extremely rare, which is why it is sold at a higher price. It is more durable than other materials: while silver and white gold require more frequent repairs, platinum jewelry needs repairs less often. It is a hypoallergenic material, recommended for people with sensitive skin.
Where is platinum found and what is it used for?
Platinum has been mined for centuries, with most mines located in South Africa, Russia, and Canada. It has been discovered that this material is also found on the surface of the moon and meteorites. Traces of platinum have been found where meteorites have struck the Earth.
In 2010, only 30% of platinum sales were used for creating jewelry. It has been shown to be useful in cancer treatment, specifically in chemotherapy sessions.
How to take care of platinum jewelry
- Store your platinum jewelry in separate pouches to prevent them from scratching each other.
- Clean them with warm water and soap or a jewelry cleaning solution.
- Remove jewelry when doing household chores. Although platinum may not be affected by cleaning solutions, other stones and metals could be damaged.
- For any adjustments to your jewelry, work with authorized jewelers, like us at Valmand.
Although platinum is an expensive metal used in jewelry, rhodium is even more costly. They belong to the same family, but rhodium is more commonly used to coat precious metal jewelry, such as white gold pieces. This gives the jewelry a white appearance. Jewelry is rarely made entirely from rhodium; such pieces are extremely valuable. Platinum is the second most highly valued metal on the market. It is a popular choice among those buying engagement rings or wedding bands because it is very durable and requires no repairs for decades.
