PLATINUM INFORMATION

OVERVIEW
RELATIVE HARDNESS CHART

PlatinumPlatinumPlatinum

OVERVIEW

Why is Platinum so very expensive:

Platinum is rare. Ten tons of platinum ore is required to process a single ounce of pure platinum.

PLATINUM IS NOT WHITE GOLD and vice-versa - see page on Gold Information.

Platinum is very dense - 60% more dense than Gold. A piece of jewellery made of Platinum is considerably heavier and stronger than its counterpart in Gold, therefore more expensive due to its bulk weight alone.

The most important consideration is the labor factor in producing a finely finished piece of Platinum jewellery. Due to its density and unique working properties, it requires a highly skilled craftsman to create a quality piece of Platinum jewellery. The working environment must be absolutely pristine and free of other metal contaminants-requiring the Platinumsmith to maintain a separate set of tools exclusively devoted to Platinum jewellery.

* A Hallmark of 999 is for 99.99% platinum.

* A Hallmark of 950 is for platinum or 95% platinum

* A Hallmark of 850 is for 85% platinum

* A Hallmark of 800 is for 80% platinum

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RELATIVE HARDNESS - MOHS SCALE

10 Diamond

9 Corundum (Ruby, Sapphire)

8 Topaz

7.5 Beryl (Emerald, Aquamarine)

6.5-7.5 Garnet

7 Quartz (Amethyst, Citrine, Agate)

6.5 Steel File

6 Feldspar (Spectrolite)

5.5-6.5 Most Glass

5 Apatite

4 - 4.5 Platinum-Pure

4 Fluorite

3 Calcite (Also a penny!)

2.5 GOLD-Pure(24Carat), Silver-Pure,(Fingernail)

2 Gypsum

1 Talc

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