Why Platinum is the Better Metal 

Platinum jewelry can be expensive compared to gold or sterling silver, but is the rare white metal worth the added expense? We think so. Here’s why.

METAL PURITY

When purchasing jewelry, whether it is a wedding band, engagement ring, or even a platinum cross pendant, be sure, first of all, that you are getting guaranteed pure 950 grade platinum. This is this the highest purity grading for platinum jewelry. This means that 95% (or 95 parts out of 100) are solid, pure platinum and that 5% are other alloys, often iridium or ruthenium, depending on the manufacturing process. Both alloys are fine, as long as you have the 950 mark of purity.

Because it is 95% pure, platinum is also heavier or more dense. So the ring, for example, that weighs 10.0 grams in 14k solid gold would weigh approx. 16.6 grams, making it heavier, more durable, with increased purity and, therefore, more valuable. Because the coveted white precious metal is also rare, the price per ounce is generally high).

HYPOALLERGENIC PROPERTIES

But weight, value and purity is not the only consideration. Platinum’s purity and properties also make it a hypoallergenic metal, meaning that virtually no one will have a chemical reaction to the white precious metal. By contrast, white gold, which was originally invented as the “poor man’s platinum” often contains nickel, which a small segment of the population have allergic reactions to. While rare, it does happen. So those with skin sensitivities, may want to consider either solid yellow gold (which is also very hypoallergenic) or platinum (which is almost guaranteed to be hypoallergenic). We say, “almost”, because there is always the rare anomaly. But in our 25+ years of jewelry experience, we have never run across a shopper who has purchased platinum jewelry from us and had an adverse reaction. With white gold, we have witnessed it perhaps 2 or 3 times, so while rare, it does occur.

VALUESo taking all of this in mind, between purity, value and the properties of platinum, especially in the case of platinum wedding bands, for example, which you expect to wear daily, we believe it is in all instances the superior precious metal, if you are looking for white jewelry vs. a classic yellow gold.

So taking all of this in mind, between purity, value and the properties of platinum, especially in the case of platinum wedding bands, for example, which you expect to wear daily, we believe it is in all instances the superior precious metal, if you are looking for white jewelry vs. a classic yellow gold.

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