Why platinum jewelry is so popular
Gold jewelry doesn't necessarily have to be yellow. Besides the natural color of this precious metal, there is rose gold or white gold. But these colors are achieved by adding other metals, copper for rose gold or palladium/nickel for white gold. However, there is a very precious white metal that can replace white gold in luxury jewelry: platinum .
While pure gold currently trades at just over $1,300 an ounce, platinum is priced at over $850, significantly higher than silver, which hovers around $16 an ounce. Platinum is indeed a precious metal . It is therefore a great alternative for making more discreet jewelry than yellow gold jewelry.
examples of used platinum jewelry from Miller
Platinum jewelry: star of the 2019 Academy Awards
If you're a regular at the red carpets, you've probably noticed that the majority of stars at the 2019 Academy Awards wore white and gray jewelry . It can be white gold, but it's mostly platinum. Lady Gaga's Tiffany and Co. necklace, which featured a massive diamond , was indeed platinum. Also at the 2019 Academy Awards, Cartier, Bvlgari, and Harry Winston all chose to adorn their faces with platinum jewelry.
The advantages of platinum
It's no coincidence that platinum is a precious metal of choice for jewelry making. First, its color makes it an alternative to yellow gold. In addition, this white color allows colored stones , such as non-white diamonds, to stand out even more. Denser than gold, platinum is also ideal for securely setting precious stones. There's also the prestige factor of platinum, one of the rarest precious metals on the planet.
During certain periods in jewelry history, platinum was even preferred to gold, which was considered too bling-bling. This was particularly the case during the Art Deco jewelry period. While there are always exceptions to the rule, the vast majority of Art Deco brooches, necklaces, and bracelets feature the sparkling white of platinum.
Amy Adams, for example, attended the 2019 Academy Awards wearing 1930s platinum Cartier jewelry , including a diamond and platinum Cartier brooch, earrings, and bracelet.
What is platinum?
It is a precious and noble metal that resists corrosion. It has been valued since the dawn of time due to its near-unalterability and density. It is rarer than gold, hence its value. It is of course used in jewelry , but also in other sectors such as laboratory equipment, dentistry, the automotive sector and electronics.
While gold jewelry uses 75% metal for 18k jewelry, or even 50.3% for 14k jewelry, Pt 950 platinum jewelry uses 95% pure metal (the rest is made up of related metals or silver), which means that its density is higher than white gold. To the naked eye these 2 metals look similar, but this difference in composition is a significant difference.
What platinum jewelry?
Platinum is a popular metal for engagement rings , wedding bands, and other bridal jewelry, but not only that. It is used by the biggest brands for the development of high jewelry collections. It is an excellent alternative to white gold, the possibility of varying the contents of your jewelry box with high-quality pieces.
Platinum can be used to make simple, raw jewelry, but it is especially useful for showcasing white diamonds and colored stones.
Like gold jewelry, platinum jewelry comes in several qualities:
- Pt 950 : 95% pure platinum
- Pt 850 : 85% pure platinum
- Pt 800 : 80% pure platinum
If there is no hallmark, there is a good chance that the jewelry contains less than 50% platinum. Therefore, it is best to buy pieces from reputable brands and trusted jewelry stores .
Used platinum jewelry
If you're looking to purchase prestigious platinum jewelry, why not opt for a second-hand necklace or bracelet? Miller, a specialist in this market since 1989, offers a wide range of second- hand platinum jewelry , from the biggest brands and unsigned, to enhance your jewelry collection at a low price.
All our platinum jewelry is authenticated, appraised, and restored before being offered for sale for a second life . Whether you're looking for an Art Deco platinum jewel or a more contemporary piece, you'll likely find something to suit you among our wide range of pre-owned jewelry .
