Platinum Engagement Rings Mark Society Hierarchy

One of the most precious of all metals, platinum is often mistakenly thought to be a relative new type of precious metal. In reality, ancient Egyptians used platinum in their decorations in about 700 BC and in South Africa, where it is often thought to be highly available, was alloyed with gold in 100 BC. However, it wasn't until about 1700 that it was recognized as a separate element and today, platinum engagement rings are some of the most expensive on the market.

In its natural form, platinum has a grayish white color and in jewelry making is usually alloyed with iridium, which helps it achieve its shine. Unfortunately, pure platinum engagement rings are difficult to find and in many instances can cause a skin rash. They will also tarnish quickly and the usually mix is 90 percent platinum and 10 percent iridium. As a metal, platinum is about 30 times more rare than gold and it value continues to increase as it becomes more in demand for use in platinum engagement rings.

Its use in jewelry is not limited by its cost, as it is malleable and resistant to wear and oxidation. Very little attention is needed by platinum engagement rings to maintain their new appearance and they rarely wear out while being worn regularly like softer gold has been known to wear.

Old Metal Meets Desires Of Modern Times

It was not until the early 20th century that platinum engagement rings started to become popular, and even though the price of the metal is high, due to its rarity, in some cultures it is considered a status symbol among society. Credit card companies and even record sales use platinum as a ranking system for its level in society. With diamond being considered the highest level, platinum is followed by gold, silver and bronze in a list of exclusivity.

While platinum can cause rashes, there have been instances of people being allergic to gold more often than to this metal, making platinum engagement rings an attractive alternative to allergy sufferers. It is also better suited to use in rings than titanium as, despite titanium's similar color, durability and lower price, it is difficult to work with and in emergencies can be difficult to cut with the use of typical jewelers' tools.

As many couples consider the cost of wedding and engagement rings having no limit, the use of platinum engagement rings continues to rise, making the metal even more expensive as the demand increases of a limited supply.