A very high-quality precious metal
The silvery white shiny platinum (also: platinum) is characterized by very good properties - it is very well protected against corrosion and is less easily damaged than other metals. Compared to gold, it has the advantage that damage to its surface does not cause Material loss occurs; it is merely shifted, not removed. The fineness of platinum jewelry is significantly higher than that of gold - jeweler's platinum consists of 96% pure platinum, while high-quality 18-carat gold consists of only 75% fine gold. composed.
platinum jewelry
Aquamarin
colored stone ring Paris
halo
Diamond Pendant
Amsterdam
memoire ringPlatinum – a derided precious metal receives its deserved recognition
The precious metal platinum was only recognized and valued as such late, in 1751. Although platinum had been used sporadically to make jewelry or ritual equipment before then - this was the case, for example, with the ancient Egyptians and in the advanced culture of the Incas - the precious metal was largely unknown. The Spaniards conquering South America saw platinum as a nuisance because it hindered them in their search for gold. Among other things, they decreed that all platinum reserves should be sunk to the seabed. The Spanish government thus wanted to protect itself against fraud, as numerous smugglers exploited the similarity in the material properties of gold and platinum to counterfeit gold.
However, after platinum was classified as an independent element by Theophil Scheffer in the mid-18th century and its exceptionally good characteristics were recognized, it quickly spread as a high-quality material for jewelry and precious everyday objects. The royal goldsmith of the French ruler Louis XIV, Marc Janety, and the royal goldsmith of Spain, Pierre Chabaneu, used platinum, for example, to make cutlery and jewelry . At the beginning of the 20th century, during the Art Deco period, platinum finally made its breakthrough and established itself as a very popular material for setting diamonds .
Limited natural resources
Although platinum deposits have been found in approximately 380 countries worldwide, more than two thirds of the annual production comes from the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. The remainder comes mostly from Russia's Norilsk-Talnakh region in northern Siberia. Overall, platinum is 30 times as rare as gold.
bars and coins made of platinum
Platinum bars were first introduced in Japan in 1975, before becoming increasingly popular in the USA and Europe in the late 70s and early 80s. The increased interest in the precious metal is linked to its considerable price increase during this period. Platinum bars from a Ounce and ten ounce coins were manufactured by Johnson Matthey & Co and Engelhard Corporation.
In 1983, the Isle of Man, a British Crown Dependency, issued a one-ounce Noble Platinum Bullion coin. As this was so popular, Australia and Canada also issued their own platinum coins; the Australian ones have koala motifs and the Canadian ones are decorated with a maple leaf. These platinum coins were also very popular, as were those with the American eagle, which were launched in 1997.
Precious Metals in the Lexicon
Things to know
