Working With Platinum

Due to the rarity of platinum, and the greater skill requirements necessary to produce, custom made platinum jewelry commands a higher price, retains a more durable standard and has a higher sentimental value.

Creating custom made platinum jewelry commands a respect for the metal and can take 3 - 4 times longer to fabricate. Platinum is a more durable metal than gold. The melting point of 90% pure platinum is 3250 degrees Fahrenheit; 14kt gold melts at 1582 degrees.

To polish custom made platinum jewelry, the metal is filed smooth with coarse to extra fine grit. The final polishing is done on a buffing machine utilizing different buffs with impregnated compounds. Custom made platinum jewelry is never bleached or dyed. It will never tarnish or discolor. Found in it's natural state, platinum is a lustrous pure white precious metal.

Custom made platinum jewelry can scratch but because the of its density it is more scratch resistant than most metals. In fact, a scratch on a platinum surface causes only a slight displacement with little, if any, metal loss. Scratches can appear to be more visible due to the high polishing platinum receives.

Platinum is the preferred metal for setting diamonds and other gemstones because of its strength and density. Custom made platinum jewelry is more durable and less subject to wear and tear.

Platinum is usually 90 to 95 percent pure and is hypoallergenic. Custom made platinum jewelry seldom causes skin reactions. White gold, which is produced by mixing pure yellow gold with nickel or other alloys has only 42 to 75 percent pure gold content. Only 150 tons of platinum is produced annually compared to gold's 2,200 tons.