Platinum is not merely a precious metal. It is the soul of a fine wedding band. Yes, it’s true that platinum wedding bands tend to be more expensive than a white gold wedding ring, similar in appearance. Sometimes, they’re almost twice as much. But there are good reasons for that.

Platinum has superb shaping properties. It’s dense and therefore will hold its shape well under the everyday pressures that a wedding ring often sees. It’s highly nick resistant, another common concern. But, it is relatively rare and thus tends to cost more.

But, there may be one reason that outweighs all the others: platinum is stunning to look at.

White gold rings are very attractive. But the color is the result of mixing gold with whitish metals, such as palladium or, in cheaper rings, nickel. Alternatively, the color can be achieved by coating it with rhodium. But that wears off over time and has to be re-done.

Platinum rings, by contrast, are nearly pure. Most alloys are 90-95%, which makes a platinum ring heavier, more lustrous, and with a special sheen that can’t be duplicated by any other material. It is a premium material, even in a class of jewelry that includes many precious metals, such as gold and silver.

These two aspects of platinum - the practical attributes and its extraordinary beauty - open up a million design options.

Platinum has been in use in wedding bands for thousands of years. It was used by the ancient Egyptians who were attracted to its beauty and divine heaviness. Craftsmen of South America used ‘platina’ (’little silver’) in a wide array of ornaments. When Louis XVI latched on to this precious metal in the 18th century, its success in the modern world was assured.

We are the lucky recipients of these historical trends, since platinum wedding bands can now cover a world of styles.

Even a plain wedding band made from platinum is an elegant piece of jewelry. It needs nothing beyond this metal to present a luxurious piece that anyone can proudly wear. But it can also be enhanced in numerous ways.

A simple row of small sapphires will turn platinum wedding bands into treasures that will be passed down for generations. A square-cut diamond can form the centerpiece of a design that lifts an already magnificent item to new heights. Even a band with no stones, that relies solely on delightful silver grooves or palladium facets, can easily present enormous elegance.

A fine platinum wedding ring will be in the range of 900-950Pt, a mark that signals it is 90-95% pure. The remaining 5-10% however, is far from base metal. It is commonly made up of a combination of iridium, osmium and other very similar metals that only add to the extraordinary beauty of these fine pieces of jewelry.

Select a platinum wedding band and you’ll be happy with your choice for your lifetime. Many generations that come after will also be grateful for your good taste.

Tags: Platinum Wedding Bands

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