 | Jerry Burnell has been a driving force in the jewelry industry of Kansas for the past 30 years. Jerry is a native of Wichita and a graduate of Wichita State University. He jokingly says that he had a degree in business, almost a masters in business, almost a degree in chemistry, with heavy studies in physics, math, and biology and he just quit college, that he figured that with 239 credit hours he should be able to make a living somewhere. Actually he was already deep into the motions of starting the most respected jewelry design team in this part of the country. Jerry is highly regarded and considered an expert in many fields, three of which are Precious gemstones, jewelry manufacture, and jewelry design. Jerry is presently president of The Kansas Jewelers Association and holds a position on the advisory board of Jewelers of America. You may contact Jerry at Burnell’s Jewelers, (316) 634-2822, or find Burnell’s Jewelers on the web at www.burnells.com |
Gold, Silver, Diamonds & Jewelry
2004-09-01 12:08:00
What makes platinum so rare and valuable?
: What is Platinum?
ANSWER: No other precious metal is more pure than platinum. Platinum is even more rare and valuable than gold, if you can believe that! The platinum family is composed of six elements: platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, rhodium, and ruthenium.Platinum is rarer and heavier than other precious metals, and as the purest, it's sometimes referred to as the noblest. Because platinum is so pure, it rarely causes allergic reactions to occur. This is greatly appreciated by people with sensitive skin who experience reactions to, or skin discoloration from, jewelry containing base metals. In addition to that, platinum is somewhat stronger than other precious metals. Platinum is also heavy. It is sixty percent heavier than gold. When you pick up a platinum item you can feel the difference. Platinum is not identified by karat marks. In the US, the abbreviations "PT" or "plat" indicate platinum and a purity percentage is required. You will find a 950, 900, or 850 also. This means 950/1000s or 95% platinum or 900/1000s for 90% platinum. So...Yellow Gold, White Gold, or Platinum...Which One Shall I Wear?To decide weather or not you want yellow gold, white gold or platinum, you must first decide which colored metal you prefer. This selection usually depends on personal preference, skin tone, and the color of other jewelry you may own. If your choice is yellow gold, keep in mind that it is available in different color shades, including pure yellow, a pinkish yellow, and a greenish yellow. If you decide yellow is the color you want, then you must decide whether to get 14K or 18K. Certainly, 14K is more affordable than 18K; it is also harder. But the yellow won't be as bright. If you prefer a white metal, your choice may be even harder. Even though white gold and platinum may be similar in appearance, they are very different metals. As mentioned earlier, platinum is much more expensive, so if you're on a limited budget, white gold may be the sensible choice. In Summary, whichever precious metal you select, there are many beautiful styles and designs from which to choose. And nothing else you can wear makes the statement you want to make like a beautiful selection of jewelry.
