Platinum

Platinum is arguably the most desirable precious metal for jewelry due to its pure white color, resistance to tarnish, toughness and strength. Overall, it will stand up to much more abuse than silver or gold and will outlast both. Have you ever noticed that most heirloom pieces of jewelry are platinum?

The Eternal Metal

Platinum is called the eternal metal because of its durability. It does not tarnish or corrode. Powerful acids that dissolve most metals do not affect platinum. In addition, it does not wear away. This durability is precisely why it is so desirable for jewelry. Let's look at an example.

When a silver or gold ring is scratched, some of the metal actually leaves the ring. Microscopically, the metal is left behind on the table or doorknob. In order to remove the scratch, we polish the piece, removing more metal. After 30 years of this, the ring has been worn down to a fraction of its former self.

If this had been a platinum ring, it would still be just as thick and strong as it was the day you bought it. This is because of the unique nature of platinum: it does not wear away. When a platinum ring is scratched, it is only really dented, if you will, not scraped off. If you could zoom in so you could see the platinum molecules, they would just be pushed around. Polishing the ring just smoothes them back into place.

Some Eternal Facts

•	Platinum is the heaviest of three precious metals used in jewelry. In fact, it is one of the heaviest substances known.
•	Platinum was discovered by Julius Scaliger, an Italian scientist, in 1557.
•	The symbol for platinum is PT from platina, Spanish for "silver."
•	Almost all platinum is processed in the US.
•	South Africa is the leader in the production of platinum ore, followed by Canada, Columbia, Russia, and the US.