A Guide to Platinum Ring Settings

Are you looking for an engagement ring that’s as durable as it is gorgeous? Do you want a setting that magnifies the natural beauty of your dazzling center stone? If yes, let us introduce you to platinum, a rare and valuable precious metal that is growing increasingly popular on the fine jewelry scene.

What is Platinum?

One of the purest precious metals that you can buy, platinum is a naturally white mineral that doesn’t need to be combined with other substances to achieve its coveted cool hue. To be considered platinum, a jewelry piece must consist of at least 95% pure platinum with the remaining 5% containing other alloys.

Why Choose a Platinum Engagement Ring Setting?

As with anything, there are pros and cons to choosing platinum engagement rings. There are other metals you might be drawn to: maybe you’re deciding between a titanium vs platinum ring setting. Nonetheless if you’re interested in platinum engagement rings, here’s what you need to know to make an informed decision.

Platinum Cons:

• Price: The best of the best comes at a price and platinum jewelry pieces are no different. You can expect to spend more on platinum rings than you would on white gold engagement rings even though the two are nearly identical in appearance.Long’s Fine Jewelers explains the price discrepancy between the two as “One of the biggest selling points of white gold over platinum is cost. Platinum will almost always be more expensive than white gold because it is 30 times more rare and mined much less than gold. To be more specific, 2,700 tons of gold are mined per year compared to 80 tons of platinum.” In addition, other factors such as density come into play because some precious metals are priced by weight. Platinum is also less malleable than other metals making it a more difficult material to work with so the cost of labor is another factor that can amp up the overall price.

• Difficult to Resize: Resizing a platinum ring wedding band tends to be tricky because platinum requires a higher heating point than other metals making repair more labor-intensive and time-consuming. In addition, heat travels quickly through platinum which increases the chance of damaging the gemstone that adorns your ring and can cause the band of the ring to warp during the process.

• Maintenance and Care: Unlike other metals used in fine jewelry, platinum does not fade or tarnish over time. However, this durable metal does require some TLC to keep it looking its best and platinum pieces should be removed when partaking in certain activities to avoid damage. To clean, use either a gentle cleaner made specifically for platinum or soak the piece in a mild mix of soap and warm water. Be sure to never submerge your rings or fine jewelry in cleaning solutions as the harsh chemicals can cause damage to the center stone.

Similar to rose gold, platinum will develop something called patina over time, which results in a change in surface texture that gives off a frosted look. Luckily, it’s up to you if you like the look of the patina and it can be easily removed with a quick polishing session.

Which Settings Look Best in Platinum?

Some engagement ring settings pair amazingly with platinum’s clean white hue. If you really want your diamond engagement ring to pop try one of these captivating styles.