Why platinum jewelry is so popular
Gold jewelry doesn't have to be yellow. Besides the natural color of this precious metal, there is rose gold or white gold. But these colors are obtained by adding other metals: copper for rose gold or palladium/nickel for white gold. There is, however, a very precious white metal that can replace white gold for luxury jewelry: platinum.
While pure gold currently trades at just over $1300 an ounce, platinum's price is over $850, much more than silver, which hovers around $16 an ounce. Platinum is indeed a precious metal. It is therefore a prime alternative for making jewelry that is more discreet than yellow gold jewelry.
examples of pre-owned platinum jewelry from Miller
Platinum Jewelry: Star of the 2019 Academy Awards
If you usually scrutinize the outfits and jewelry of stars walking the red carpet, you have undoubtedly noticed that the majority of celebrities present at the 2019 Academy Awards wore white and gray jewelry. This could be white gold, but especially platinum. Lady Gaga's Tiffany and Co. necklace, which featured a massive diamond, was indeed made of platinum. Also at the 2019 Academy Awards, Cartier, Bvlgari, and Harry Winston 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 offers an alternative to yellow gold. Moreover, this white color further enhances colored stones, for example, non-white diamonds. Denser than gold, platinum is also ideal for securely setting precious stones. There's also the prestigious factor of platinum, one of the rarest precious metals on the planet.
During certain periods of jewelry history, platinum was even preferred over gold, which was considered too flashy. This was notably the case during the Art Deco jewelry period. While there is always an exception 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 with 1930s Cartier jewelry in platinum, including a Cartier brooch, earrings, and a diamond and platinum bracelet. On this subject, the best ways to wear a brooch are mentioned in our article. Click the link to check it out!
What is platinum?
It is a precious and noble metal that resists corrosion. It has been valued since ancient times for its near-inalterability 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 18-karat jewelry, or even 50.3% for 14-karat jewelry, Pt 950 platinum jewelry uses 95% pure metal (the rest is composed of related metals or silver), which means its density is higher than white gold. To the naked eye, these two metals look similar, but this difference in composition is a significant one.
What platinum jewelry?
Platinum is a popular metal for engagement rings, wedding bands, and other wedding jewelry, but not only. It is used by the biggest houses for the creation of high jewelry collections. It is an excellent alternative to white gold, offering the possibility of diversifying the contents of one's jewelry box with high-quality pieces.
Platinum can form simple, raw jewelry, but it is especially interesting for enhancing white diamonds and colored stones.
Like gold jewelry, platinum jewelry comes in several grades:
- 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. It is therefore better to buy pieces from reputable houses, from trusted jewelers.
Pre-owned platinum jewelry
If you wish to acquire prestigious pieces such as platinum jewelry, why not opt for a second-hand necklace or bracelet? Miller, a specialist in this market since 1989, offers a whole range of pre-owned platinum jewelry, signed by the biggest brands or unsigned, to enrich your jewelry box at an affordable price.
All our platinum jewelry is authenticated, appraised, and restored before being put on sale for a second life. Whether you are looking for an Art Deco platinum jewel or a more contemporary piece, you will probably find what you are looking for among our wide assortment of pre-owned jewelry.
