The platinum used in platinum and white gold ring is much more rare than gold and perhaps this is why it costs 4x as much as yellow gold and 2x as much as white gold. Unlike gold, platinum is used in almost its pure form in jewelry. Platinum’s purity is indicated by a 3 digit number which should be marked on the band. For example, If your band is marked “950 platinum”, the band is 95% pure platinum with alloys constituting 5% of the ring. Most platinum is mined in Russia and South Africa.
Platinum’s silvery-white luster looks beautiful against most gemstones, hence it is increasingly a very popular choice for one’s engagement ring setting. Platinum will feel heavier on one’s finger than other metals. One of the lesser known facts about platinum is that it is hypo-allergenic and will not irritate your skin. My friend, who recently got married, was complaining to me about her white-gold engagement and wedding bands, which were making her finger itch. As a result, she is only able to wear it every few days and may have to get the inside of it plated in platinum or another metal. What a hassle. She should’ve gotten gold and platinum rings with mainly platinum in the band.
This is because platinum is much harder to obtain and manufacture than gold or silver. In mining terms, it will take ten tons of ore to be able to produce an ounce of platinum for gold and platinum wedding bands. This is compared to the only three to four tons of ore that one needs to make an ounce of gold. In addition, there are also fewer platinum mines as compared to gold mines. In virtue of the laws of supply and demand, is it any wonder that the platinum diamond ring that you have been salivating for months now threaten to burn a hole in your pocket? When selecting a platinum diamond wedding ring, it is important that you look for the signage or engraving that says PLAT or PT950. This means that the platinum is genuine and that it is 95 percent pure platinum. Without these, do not buy as you may be buying something that is not worth your money.
