The Platinum Standard (cont')

Know Your Platinum

As strong as platinum is, it can still be scratched. But because of the strength and durability of the metal, there will be little metal loss. A jeweler can easily polish out the scratches. If a piece of platinum jewelry is marked “Platinum,” it contains at least 95% pure platinum. Jewelry that is between 85 to 95% platinum is marked 850 plat. (or 850 Pt.) to 950 Plat.
Jewelry that contains at least 50% pure platinum and 95% of the platinum group (platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, shodium and ruthenium) is marked w

ith the platinum content followed by the content of the other metal (i.e. 600 Plat. 350 Irid.)
Jewelry containing less than 50% platinum cannot be marked with the word platinum or any of its abbreviations.

More Than Jewelry
As rare as platinum is, it is not just found in jewelry. Just as gold has been used as an accent, platinum can also be used to cover or accent. Tiffany, for example, has just introduced an exquisite table setting using a geometric design in platinum with gold accents and hand painted rims.
Described as “modern yet formal,” the Tiffany Palladium collection includes a five piece setting of bone china, as well as a charger, bowl, teapot, sugar, creamer and mug.
A more extreme example of platinum’s versatility and non-jewelry use is a wedding gown designed by Erisa Katsura. Using platinum leafing, it is valued at around $200,000. Not surprisingly, when it was introduced at the 2000 Spring/Summer Bridal Collection, it "drew rapt attention from the couture press."

Era Of Platinum
In preparing this article I’ve have had a chance to see a vast array of exquisite creations in platinum. The imagination, the elegance and the sheer beauty of these pieces all combine to say that the slogans are not just hype. The third millennium AD will be the Era of Platinum.
Except for those pieces specifically identified with a company (i.e. Tiffany or Bvlgari), the pictures for this article come from The Platinum Guild International, USA. Most of the jewelers marketing in Costa D’Oro have access to these designers and/or pieces and are happy to help you with anything you see.