Platinum is Purer than Gold

Most platinum jewelry is 90 - 95% pure, whereas 18 karat gold is 75% pure and 14k gold is only 58.5% pure.  All of the various alloys used to manufacture fine jewelry contains a blend of other metals, platinum simply has less.  The presence of other alloys in white gold is what causes it to oxidize, face and change color over time.  Because platinum is purer than gold, it doesn't fade or change color and it retains it retains a polish longer.  The pure white luster of platinum reflects the true brilliance of diamonds and provides the best setting for most precious gems.  The combination of platinum and yellow gold creates a perfect balance of two tonal values for people who prefer warmer tones.

Platinum is Hypo Allergenic

Platinum's purity makes it the perfect alloy for people with sensitive skin.  Because platinum is more pure than gold and has been mixed less metal than other alloys used to create jewelry, it does not cause allergic reactions.  People who suffer from allergic reactions when they wear gold jewelry in their ears or who experience rashes on their fingers when wearing gold jewelry should consider platinum.

Platinum is Rarer than Gold

Platinum is thirty five times rarer than gold.  Platinum is found in only a few places throughout the world.  At present, most platinum mining is done in South Africa and Russia and to a lesser extent in Zimbabwe, Canada and South America.  It takes eight weeks and 10 tons of ore to produce a single ounce (31.1 grams) of platinum, whereas only five tons of ore are mined to produce the same amount of gold!  And for every ten gold mines that exists in the world, there is only one platinum mine.  During the average year, approximately 2,700 tons of gold are used in the process of manufacturing jewelry but only 88 tons of platinum are used to make jewelry.  Platinum seems to cost more than gold at first glance, but upon further study it becomes clear that the higher cost of platinum is simply due to the fact that platinum is purer than gold and much more rare.

The Density of Platinum Makes it more Durable

Platinum's density and weight make it more durable than other jewelry metals.  A six inch cube of platinum which measures approximately 15 centimeters cubed weighs 165 pounds (75 kg) which is almost as much as the average man!  Platinum is also resistant to heat and acids and has a higher melting point than gold (3,223°F / 1,768°C) and requires special equipment for casting into jewelry.  Platinum doesn't wear away as other jewelry metals do, it holds diamonds and other gemstones firmly and securely.  All metals can be scratched and displaced however, a scratch on a platinum piece of jewelry is merely a displacement of the metal.  The primary difference between gold and platinum jewelry in terms of the displacement of metal caused by a scratch is that with platinum the metal has merely been relocated whereas gold has a tendency to wear away and decrease in volume.  If visible scratches appear on platinum, it can be re-polished by a qualified jeweler without substantial loss to the piece.  Perhaps this is why platinum has been used to fashion the jewelry for some of the world's most precious gems including the Koh-I-Nor Diamond which is part of the British Crown Jewels.

The Versatility of Platinum

In addition to its strength and durability, platinum is also extremely versatile.  Platinum is so pliable that a single gram of platinum can be drawn into a fine wire that stretches out for more than a mile (almost 2 km) in length while retaining it's strength.  This quality has enabled jewelers the world over to produce  exquisite detailed designs in platinum that could not be made in any other metal.