Platinum Wedding Bands Part 1

It is not necessary to know all about platinum to pick out a platinum wedding band but knowing the price of platinum will obviously help.

This is the first of a three part series on platinum wedding bands. Firstly lets get familiar with what platinum is.

Platinum is a metal that melts at double the temperature of gold so it is very hard and strong. It is also quite rare. In fact so rare that all the platinum in the world currently would likely fit in your living room and it takes about ten tones of ore to refine one ounce of platinum.

Platinum is associated with wealth due to its rarity and so now you get, platinum cards, platinum awards in music and the like.

Platinum jewelry should be at least 95% pure. Gold jewelry does not usually have that degree of purity. Only gold coins and gold bars have a purity of 9.99 percent hopefully. America, platinum jewelry contains either 90% or 95% pure platinum. By comparison, 18 carat gold is 75% pure and 14 carat is 58% pure gold.

Platinum is very distinctive and hard wearing. It does not tarnish or lose its rich white luster. It tends to be twice the cost of gold also.

Platinum jewelry made in America should contain either 90% or 95% pure platinum and platinum jewelry marked "IRIDPLAT" contains 90% platinum and 10% iridium. When marked "PLAT," an item is at least 95% platinum, with 5% Ruthenium. In Europe, platinum is identified by the following marks: 950 or PT950.

Platinum has been used throughout the centuries The ancient Egyptians used platinum. The American Incas also, and it has been used by royalty and famous jewelery houses such as Faberge, Cartier and Tiffanies for years so Platinum is an ideal precious metal for wedding bands.

In part two of Platinum Wedding Bands we find out how to select a platinum wedding band and what to watch out for.

Part 2 of Platinum Wedding Bands is available on