Platinum Engagement Settings ?
Q.We had my ring custom made (in gold). Our jeweler said gram for gram, Pt is 3x the cost of Au. Strength is the biggie, also it resists scratching better. Personally, I like the color of gold better. The platinum settings look too much like sterling to me. Seems lately all my friends are giving their fiancees a diamond w/ a platinum setting. Any idea on how big the price difference is between gold and platinum settings? Other than strength any other great advantages?
A.I want a platinum setting because I have heard that it's a stronger metal. I believe it's also about twice as much (cost wise). But I'm pretty hard on jewelry (knocking my wrist into walls and scratching watches, getting rings caught in pockets) so i want the most durable! Plus, platinum looks better with my coloring. Platinum is significantly more expensive than gold. I think it's stronger (tho not certain) and it's usually "pure." There have been quite a few articles in the recent bridal mags re: the advantages of platinum. If you like the "look" I think platinum looks far nicer than white gold - which tends to be shinier and is not pure (it's mixed with nickel or something to get the colour). Polished platinum will have a sheen, but it's not "shiny" (don't know how to explain that really:)). I believe it also resists scratching better. I have a platinum setting which I *love*. I really dislike the shiny look of gold and far prefer this. It's an antique ring, and the platinum setting was very common in the early part of the century, which is perhaps why I like it. It's more "traditional" (IMO). We got it an an antique shop, and saved a mint! It seems that platinum is just becoming "in" again, as many jewelers seem to have quite a bit to offer now. as for settings, we only priced Tiffany mountings, gold was $80 and platinum was $200. I think the greatest advantage of platinum is how smooth it is! Even when my fingers swell up (in heat) my platinum engagement ring will slide off or on even though I never take it off for very long. I even sleep in it. I get a lot of compliments about mine. As I mentioned before, I think, mine is a Tiffany mounting, thin band. I am going to have one 18-karat gold band (very thin) on each side of the platinum. I want a kind of two-toned effect. Depending what type of store you shop at, the price of a platinum ring will be 3 - 5 times the price for the same ring in 14kt. gold. Platinum is definitely stronger and approx. 70% heavier than gold, but I think the biggest difference is the natural white color that platinum has that white gold doesn't have. White gold needs to be rhodium plated to make the metal look white. White gold has a yellow tint, and the rhodium will make the metal look like platinum, very white. However, over time the rhodium will wear or scratch off and the yellow tint of the metal will come through. You can always have the ring polished and replated, but most people never do. Platinum is usually rhodium plated just to give it an extra shine, but it's not necessary because the metal will always have that white color. My experience is that many people think platinum will not scratch or will be more scratch resistant than white gold. This is not true. Platinum is not a hard metal, so it will scratch just as easily as gold. There are many benefits (that I haven't mentioned) for having your engagement/wedding rings in platinum. Overall, it is the premier metal, especially for bridal rings that have diamonds and other gemstones. It is you, the customer, who has to decide if it is worth the extra money. For more questions regarding the pro's and con's of platinum and prices on platinum engagement and wedding rings you can email me: diamond...@aol.com or call me at 1-800-985-RING (M-F) 10a-6p EST. We manufacture a line of platinum wedding rings and can sell them direct to the bride at 50% below retail prices. (Bands starting at $150.00.)
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