Proper Storage of Platinum Jewelry
Platinum, though a strong metal, can still be scratched by other items in your jewelry box. As such, your platinum jewelry should be kept away from other jewelry with gemstones, especially diamonds. Over time, platinum jewelry kept with other hard items will gather small scratches and dents in the surface that affect the luster and wear off the high shine polish of the metal.
Store your platinum properly in individual soft chamois bags, or in their own space in a suede or soft fabric-lined jewelry box. This will keep the metal shiny and lustrous for years to come.
Cleaning Platinum Jewelry
Platinum jewelry can be cleaned with the same jewelry cleaners used for gold. Or, simply mix a mild soap and water solution, and allow the platinum jewelry to soak in the solution for ten minutes. Then, rinse off the solution thoroughly with warm water (not over a sink, or with the drain completely plugged) and polish gently with a soft cloth. Platinum can be cleaned once per week for items that are worn frequently. Remember to always remove your platinum jewelry before doing housework or cleaning in order to keep the metal looking newer, longer.
Polishing Platinum Jewelry
Though platinum will never dull, oxidize or change colors, owners of platinum jewelry will note that over time the platinum seems to “dull” and appears to be a deeper gray color. This is actually due to small scratches and dents in the ring that accumulate over time. These scratches wear off the high sheen polish that the metal has when purchased.
In order to restore platinum’s high polish, the jewelry should be taken to a qualified jewelry who works with platinum. He or she can easily polish the item to eliminate the scratches and dents, restoring the platinum piece of jewelry to a nearly new condition.
Platinum vs. Titanium Wedding Bands
March 6, 2009 by Yelena Jenkins · Leave a Comment
Are you torn between the lovely look of platinum and titanium wedding bands? If so, you are in luck. We are going to cover the important differences between platinum and titanium to help couples make an informed decision on which metal is right for their wedding bands. Once you’ve weighed all the factors against your individual needs, check out our extensive selection of both platinum and titanium wedding bands to find the perfect ring to symbolize your marriage.
Cost
Titanium is clearly the budget-friendly option for a white metal that lasts. However, if prestige and heirloom quality are what you desire in a wedding band, consider opting for a platinum ring instead.
Hypoallergenic
Platinum Flat Edge Wedding Band
Sufferers of metal allergies no longer have to spring for an expensive platinum wedding band – titanium is also 100% hypoallergenic. Titanium bands can be made in the same designs as platinum wedding bands, so people with metal allergies can opt to buy the same stunning wedding band designs for titanium’s budget-friendly price.
Metal Strength & Wear
Though platinum is often thought of as being a very strong metal, this is only in comparison to gold. When put to the test against titanium, platinum comes in at second place. Titanium is the hardest natural metal in the world and is three times the strength of steel. This also makes titanium wedding bands much more dent, bend and scratch resistant than platinum.
Finally, the two metals have definite weight differences. Titanium is a very lightweight metal, especially compared to platinum. Platinum is an incredibly dense metal that has a substantial heft to it. This is especially noticeable on wedding bands since they are worn around the clock, and can be a deciding factor for many couples. Some people enjoy the lightweight, free feel of titanium while others prefer a substantial feel to their wedding band.
Picking the perfect wedding band is really a personal decision; one that should be well thought out and carefully decided. If cost is the only determining factor for a couple on a budget, titanium is the ideal wedding band metal. For couples who only want the best and rarest, platinum wedding bands are the way to go. Most couples will have to weigh the many different factors before they can determine which metal is perfect for their needs.
Jewelry Hallmark Guide
February 19, 2009 by Yelena Jenkins · Leave a Comment
Pieces like this Platinum Hammered Band are often hallmarked with the letters "Plat" or "950"
If you own a piece of precious metal jewelry, you have likely noticed a small stamp on a hidden part of the ring, necklace, bracelet or earring. These stamps are known as a jewelry hallmark, and appear on almost all precious metal jewelry. Jewelry hallmarking can give you clues as to the jewelry’s country of origin, metal content, purity, and the name – or initials – of the maker.
European Hallmarks
Hallmarking has a long and illustrious history that began in Europe during the 14th century. English and French jewelers in particular hallmarked their jewelry with elaborate designs and animal symbols to denote the origin of the jewelry, the metal, the purity, and the maker. Though intricate and lovely, the European hallmarks can be tough to decipher and are easily misinterpreted by a novice. Luckily for Americans, the U.S. jewelry hallmarking system is much easier to read.
American Hallmarks
Though many countries require jewelers to hallmark their precious metal jewelry, the United States interestingly does not. Yet despite the absence of a law mandating hallmarking, most U.S. fine jewelry does indeed come stamped to assure the purchaser of the quality of the metal. Since the purity of the metal is a major indicator of the jewelry’s value, many jewelry buyers feel more comfortable purchasing a piece that is hallmarked. However, it is important to note that a hallmark can also give a buyer a false sense of security since it is not tightly regulated in the U.S. Unscrupulous jewelers or street vendors can create their own hallmark to pass off poor quality jewelry as quality pieces. The most important factor is always to buy from a reputable jeweler.
Here is a quick rundown of the most common jewelry hallmarks that indicate the metal and purity:
U.S. Platinum Jewelry Hallmarks
Plat - A platinum ring marked with Plat or 950 Plat is considered nearly pure platinum (95% platinum) and is therefore quite expensive. 950 is the highest grade of platinum available for jewelry.
IridPlat - Platinum rings with this hallmark are 90% pure platinum with 10% other metals mixed in. These rings, also often marked with .90 Plat, cost less than their purer platinum counterpart above.
U.S. Gold Jewelry Hallmarks
10k - 10 karat gold is the lowest karat gold, and is composed of 10 parts gold to 14 parts other metals. 10 karat gold costs much less than higher gold purities.
14k - 14 karat gold is one of the most popular gold purities for gold jewelry. 14 karat gold is composed of 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metals.
18k - 18 karat gold is very high quality gold, and is composed of 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metals.
24k - 24 karat gold is pure gold, and is the most expensive and most malleable gold composition. The addition of other metals to gold makes it stronger and more durable, since 24 karat gold is quite soft and is easily dented, dinged and bent.
U.S. Silver Jewelry Hallmarks
A sterling silver necklace with the 925 hallmark
900 - The 900 stamp on silver denotes that the metal is 9 parts pure silver and one part alloy metal. This stamp was used mainly on silver coins and is not commonly used on jewelry in modern times.
925 - 925 is the hallmark stamp for sterling silver. This is the most common hallmark seen on silver jewelry, and means that the jewelry is composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. Sterling silver is the highest quality silver used in jewelry, since pure silver is much too malleable to be worn on a daily basis.
Apples of Gold carries a wide variety of precious metal jewelry in different purities. This allows customers to choose the right gold karat for their taste and budget. Check out our selection of beautiful gold and platinum wedding bands, earrings, bracelets and necklaces at Apples of Gold.com.
Understanding the Price of Platinum Jewelry
February 3, 2009 by Afshin Yaghtin · Leave a Comment
Why is Platinum Much More Expensive Than Gold?
This means that 95% of the content of a piece of platinum jewelry is pure platinum and 5% is another platinum group alloy such as palladium, ruthenium, or iridium. Most of these alloys are excellent choices to mix with platinum jewelry, but palladium and ruthenium should be considered top choices.
In addition, unlike white gold, platinum does not require rhodium plating for maintenance.
Platinum Purity Compared to Gold
Platinum is 30 times rarer than gold!
Compared to 14k gold (which is only 58% pure gold or 14 of 24 parts gold) or 18k gold (75% pure gold or 18 of 24 parts gold), platinum can cost significantly more due to its purity and value as a rare precious commodity.
For example, the same wedding band weighing 10.0 grams in gold will weigh 16.0 grams in platinum.
Since the amount of a precious metal (or the gram weight) is a significant factor in determining prices, platinum tends to be more costly than gold, but well worth the difference in price if it meets your budget.
Manufacturing and Labor Costs
Platinum is also more expensive than gold due to the fact that it is slightly more difficult to work with and less platinum jewelry is produced than gold jewelry, thereby effecting the manufacturing and labor costs of platinum vs. gold.
Overall, you can expect to normally pay 3-4 times more for platinum than for gold. Although with platinum prices historically lower than average, you may be able to find platinum jewelry costing closer to 2.5 – 3 times more than gold currently. Still a premium, but a bargain today regardless.
Market Price of Platinum
Platinum is a voraciously volatile precious metal whose base price is directly connected to the metal’s market price. As of today, platinum hovers at $965.00 per ounce (a historically low price that will probably change by the time I finish writing this).
Platinum Formula for 950 Grade Platinum Jewelry
Market price of platinum per ounce + 18 / 31.1 = Price of Platinum Per Gram
Taking today’s price of platinum of $965.00 per ounce, this yields:
965 + 18 / 31.1 = $31.60 per gram
(Why +18 and divide by 31.1? 18 is the amount of estimated loss of platinum when the metal is refined into jewelry, and 31.1 is the number of grams per ounce).
Keep in mind that rarely should platinum jewelry’s value or price be determined solely on gram weight alone–there are many factors including design and labor, limited production of a specific piece, whether the item is handmade or mass produced, and many other factors. But this formula will give you an idea of the base price of your platinum jewelry.
For example, a ring weighing 20.0 grams of platinum may cost $1,425.00. If you divide 1,425 / 20 — you will get $71.25 per gram. That is the amount you are paying per 1 gram of platinum in your ring (inclusive of labor, retail markup, etc.).
The jewelry has not changed–but the market’s valuation of the metal has–for now.
Featured 950 Grade Platinum:
View more Designer Platinum Wedding Bands from Apples of Gold.
Platinum Wedding Bands
January 1, 2009 by Yelena Jenkins · 1 Comment
At a time when the prices of gold and platinum are so close to each other, it makes sense to purchase a platinum wedding band. Since platinum is much rarer than gold, investing in a platinum ring when the price is depressed means that your investment will likely increase in value faster over time. Platinum wedding bands come in just as many styles and designs as gold bands, and are more durable as well. If you are interested in a platinum wedding band for you or your fiancé, consider checking out some of our popular designs. The wide selection has something for everyone; from hammered platinum bands to rings intricately engraved with Celtic crosses.
Hammered Platinum Band
Plain Platinum Band
Plain platinum wedding rings are handsome in their simplicity. They also come in a wide variety of widths so you can find the perfect fit and look for your finger. We carry all the way from a thin 2 millimeter platinum ring up to a big, thick 8 millimeter platinum band. Often women will feel more comfortable with a slim, light band in the 2 millimeter size and men will choose the 5, 6 or 8 millimeter size so it looks proportional on their larger hands. This allows a couple to pick our matching rings without having to sacrifice the perfect look and feel of a ring on their hand.
Intricately Designed Platinum Rings
Platinum bands also come in a wide range of beautiful designs. Some of the most popular platinum wedding ring designs include rings with Celtic patterns, braided patterns, and brushed finished rings. Within each of these categories, there is a plethora of styles, widths and sizes to choose from.
If you still have not found the perfect platinum wedding band in the above picks, try browsing through our entire platinum collection of platinum rings. There is something for every taste, and the prices are perfect for couples who want beautiful wedding bands within their budget.
Wedding Bands: Modern Simplicity
December 18, 2008 by Yelena Jenkins · Leave a Comment
In lieu of flashy engagement rings, many brides are opting to save the money for a down payment and stick with a simple, modern band instead. Other brides are wearing their engagement rings up until the wedding, at which point they are switching the engagement ring with their wedding band instead of stacking the two together. The elimination of the traditional engagement ring has become even more prevalent with the current state of the economy. Money-conscious couples are often cash-strapped or feel guilty splashing out on expensive diamond engagement rings. The option they turn to provides an easy yet impactful way to save thousands of dollars.
Our modern, simple rings are ideal for couples who are looking for high quality, reasonably-priced wedding bands. More than ever, now is the perfect time to buy: with gold and platinum prices at their lowest in years, big savings are guaranteed. If you are just starting your search, make sure to take a peek at the following styles:
Wedding Bands For Him
Flat Designer Brushed Wedding Band (see picture at top)
Design also available as a Platinum Designer Flat Brushed Band
It’s manly with a modern aesthetic, and is even crafted with a comfort fit. The 6mm width will look substantial without feeling cumbersome on his hand for easy everyday wear.
Knife Edge Platinum Wedding Band
This unique looking platinum band expresses individuality while keeping it simple. It is a quality hand-made band that can also be crafted with a brushed look for a matte finish.
Our knife-edge platinum bands are available in 3mm – 8mm widths in guaranteed 950 platinum grade purity.
Wedding Band For Him or Her
Brushed White Gold Wedding Band with Rose Gold Interior
The clean look and subtle beauty of this wedding band is simply stunning. It marries both the warmth of rose gold with the coolness of white gold for a rich depth that is truly unique.
The design is careful finished with a satin/brushed texture (also available in all high polished by request).
Wedding Bands For Her
Benchmark Brand Satin-Finish Diamond Wedding Band
Zig Zag 14K Gold Diamond Wedding Band
We hope highlighting these finds has helped you in your search for the perfect wedding band. If not, check out the rest of our extensive selection of wedding bands. As always, our quality is guaranteed and the prices are hard to beat!
Platinum Rings: the King’s Heavy Metal
December 13, 2008 by Afshin Yaghtin · Leave a Comment
December 2008: platinum traded at nearly the same price as gold, as the rare metal plummeted to $823 per ounce, with gold closing at $822 per ounce on the same day.
While it is the perfect time to pick up that platinum diamond wedding ring for your bride-to-be, there are several reasons why it is unimaginable that platinum jewelry prices will ever breach gold’s vastly affordable price:
- Platinum is a pure metal, with platinum jewelry usually being crafted in 950 grade platinum (95% pure platinum, 5% precious alloys, such as iridium, ruthenium, or palladium). Gold is usually made of 14k or 18k gold (58.3% or 75% pure). When considering precious metals’ prices, metal prices are determined at 100% purity (pure platinum and 24k gold).
- Platinum jewelry is approx. 60% denser than 14k gold. Since weight plays a determinant role in pricing fine jewelry, platinum remains more expensive than gold.
- Since platinum is 30 times rarer than gold and is found in only a few parts of the world, mostly South Africa, with a smaller portion in Russia and Canada, transporting platinum is more costly than gold.
- Platinum mining is a difficult and time-consuming process. Ten tons of ore (rock containing gemstones and precious minerals) must be mined to produce 1 ounce of platinum.
With platinum prices down 65% since March, Apples of Gold Jewelry has lowered prices on all of its platinum wedding bands and added new designer platinum jewelry to its extensive line-up, such a new version of its best selling men’s solid gold cross in platinum. Apples of Gold expects to add more platinum jewelry to its collection in 2009 and 2010; especially since platinum is–for now–exhibiting signs that it will adhere to Apples of Gold’s value-based jewelry pricing methodology.
Related Posts:
Platinum and Gold: When Metals Collide
Platinum Prices Tied to the Big 3 Automakers?
December 4, 2008 by Afshin Yaghtin · Leave a Comment
Platinum has exhibited nothing short of a bona fide crash in 2008, with platinum precious metal prices down 65% since its monumental peak of approx. $2,300 in March 2008. Platinum, today, hovers near $795 per ounce.
As a second generation jeweler and CEO of Apples of Gold Jewelry, I have been trying to fathom the mechanics of platinum’s elephantine decline. To the evident chagrin of precious metals investors, I have been outwardly gleeful to be able for the first time in six months to actually lower prices on jewelry, rather than raise them. Our goal, after all, at Apples of Gold, is to adhere to our value-based pricing philosophy which has helped boost jewelry sales in past years.
The biggest factor: Crude oil prices, a commodity that is economically and intricately tied to precious metals. Oil prices have declined 70% for the year since oil’s otherworldly 52 week high of $145 per barrel. Oil hit a 5 year low today, closing at $43.67 per barrel, a low not seen since 2003. It’s noteworthy that gas prices have not yet fallen 70% since–but they have made large strides in the right direction.
A marginally rising U.S. dollar and falling oil prices are major contributors to falling precious metals, including gold, platinum, and palladium. The U.S. dollar is up approx. 18% vs. the Euro this year–all of which is contributing to precious metals’ decline (historically precious metals are inversely tied to the U.S. dollar as a hedge against inflation and instability in world markets).
Personally, I feel much more comfortable with platinum prices in the $700 range. The lower the cost of raw materials, the lower jewelers are able to market their finished, designer jewelry pieces. With the economy in an untenable ball of fear, lower prices are a refreshing and welcome sight in the jewelry industry.
Apples of Gold has recently lowered prices on all of its platinum jewelry. And we hope this trend will continue.
Platinum Wedding Band Prices Down Sharply
November 20, 2008 by Afshin Yaghtin · 1 Comment
Apples of Gold Jewelry has lowered prices recently on all of its platinum rings, including their line of plain platinum wedding bands, design platinum wedding bands, and Celtic platinum wedding bands.
Many jewelers have been hesitant to lower platinum prices due to the unusual amount of volatility in the precious metals markets, especially for metals like platinum which are historically more volatile than metals such as gold.
Platinum reached its high in March 2008 when it peaked at approx. $2,300 per ounce. As we approach the end of the year and the upcoming holidays, platinum sits unnoticed at approx. $800 per ounce–a staggering loss in the platinum markets.
This does not mean that platinum prices are now 1/3 of the price, but reputable jewelers should now begin to lower their prices on platinum. Since platinum is a nearly pure metal with platinum jewelry mostly being 950 grade (95% pure platinum), it will always cost more than its gold counterpart (which is often 58% pure such as in 14k gold vs. platinum’s 95% purity). Other cost factors include higher manufacturing and labor costs for platinum jewelry, as well as lower demand compared to other precious metals such as gold.
Still, you should now begin to see platinum jewelry prices falling approx. 25% or more, if the jewelry industry takes note of a vastly changing market.
Visit Apples of Gold Jewelry to view their unique and affordable line of platinum wedding rings.
Platinum — The More Volatile Precious Metal
October 25, 2008 by Afshin Yaghtin · Leave a Comment
Platinum has had some dramatic swings as of late – enough to make gold seem tame by comparison. Platinum, reaching a high of $2,300 an ounce in March 2008, today closed at $794.00 (October 24, 2008), losing more than 65% of its value in the space of only 7 months.
Have platinum jewelry prices followed? Not entirely. Jewelers are still hesitant about lowering platinum prices for several reasons:
- Unstable platinum prices means that platinum as a commodity could quickly increase again in price. Platinum markets sometimes see a 15-20% swing in a single day.
- Jewelers have a genuine need to make up for lost profits due to record prices in other precious metal categories, such as gold and the overall loss of sales, margins, and unprecedented challenges in the jewelry industry.
- A considerable increase in business expense and risk to jewelers over the past several years. Many manufacturers have simply closed their doors after decades of business.
Our stance at Apples of Gold Jewelry? We have tested the waters recently by lowering prices on all of our platinum wedding bands in order to meet changing market conditions. Or goal is to continue lowering prices if we see a steady decline in the platinum precious metals market.
The question now remains—where will the gold, platinum, and precious metals markets head tomorrow?
Platinum, though a strong metal, can still be scratched by other items in your jewelry box. engagement rings
ReplyDeletePlatinum is a light silver-colored precious metal. Platinum rings have a different feel to gold rings, which tend to be more traditional. The silver color can almost be described as white, as it’s amazingly light in color. Just take a look at our platinum ring collection to admire the bright glow of platinum. Best Platinum rings
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