Platinum is the metal of choice when it comes to engagement rings and wedding jewelry. Aside from it's stunning beauty and elegance, platinum is far stronger than any of the other precious metals. This makes it the perfect metal for your platinum engagement ring and platinum wedding rings.

The Versatility of Platinum

Platinum has a versatility that just cannot be found in gold or silver. Because of platinum's strength, any platinum ring can be crafted in beautiful and delicate ways. Designs that were put aside because they were just not possible with gold, are now being brought back to life in the form of platinum engagement rings and platinum wedding rings. Arches, weaves, stunningly delicate sculptures; these things are now possible in your platinum engagement ring and wedding rings or bands.

Diamonds in Platinum Rings

Platinum's strength will hold your precious stones and diamonds more securely than gold. When you wear a platinum engagement ring you don't have to worry about your diamonds coming loose. The brilliant white color of your platinum engagement ring will enhance the beauty and color of any precious gem. The brilliance of diamonds are especially enhanced by any platinum ring. Nothing dresses up better than platinum. The elegant understatement of a platinum engagement ring and wedding band is perfect for that little black dress.

Establish Your Budget for Purchasing Platinum

How Much To Pay For A Platinum Ring - Platinum is rare and expensive so not all people can afford to wear it. In general, expect to pay more for a simple band of platinum versus the same band in 14K white gold. Internet sites generally take a lower mark up on platinum rings. However, it is important to do some careful research when buying a wedding band on the internet. Some internet retailers sell very light weight platinum bands and don't disclose the weight of the ring. It may look like a bargain price, but because of its light weight, it is really not worth as much as a heavy platinum band.

Also, some discount internet sites sell platinum rings that are re-cast from scrap platinum, and the impurities in the metal may show up as slight surface cracks which will give the ring a dull look. Also take into account that platinum is nearly twice the weight of gold. So, a typical gold wedding band would weigh about 4 grams, while the same wedding band in platinum would weigh nearly 8 grams.

When you calculate the raw metal cost of about three times more plus the weight of nearly double, you can see why a platinum ring would cost so much more than a gold ring.

Mens Platinum Wedding Rings

 Mens' Platinum Wedding Rings

A man's platinum wedding ring is a beautiful fit for a formal suit or tuxedo. Platinum rings are elegant, beautiful, and subtle, and when you wear them everyone is sure to take notice. Platinum rings impress without overpowering and, of course, nothing goes quite so well with that beautiful white gown as a platinum engagement ring with a matching platinum wedding band.

Platinum's Rarity

The true measure of value is rarity. Platinum is one of the world's rarest precious metals. Platinum is the most enduring precious metal and loses virtually no metal when scratched.

Gold, on the other hand, loses a tiny bit of metal every time it's scratched-or polished. Eventually, prongs of white gold and yellow gold can wear down. They then need to be reinforced with more metal to keep the diamond secure.

Finishing A Platinum Ring

Platinum is commonly alloyed with Iridium to make up the other 5 to 10% of the ring. Because these alloys are both precious metals in the platinum metal group, platinum is hypoallergenic and ideal for anyone with sensitive skin.

Not All Platinum Alloys Are Equal - 100% pure platinum is soft, and the surface is easily scratched. For jewelry purposes, platinum is always alloyed with a second metal. This gives it the strength to hold a high polish and resist scratching. Pure platinum contains only 5% alloy, and is hallmarked PLAT, inside the band. The alloy used can make a big difference in the way your ring looks and wears over the years.

The most commonly used alloy is Iridium. A very hard, brittle, silvery-white transition metal of the platinum family, iridium is the second densest element and is the most corrosion-resistant metal known. Iridium is a metal of the platinum family, is white (similar to platinum) but with a slight yellowish cast. Many jewelers choose to work with Iridium because it is less expensive, more malleable, and easier to fuse with platinum.