Platinum 950
Platinum, a rare and precious metal, has a fascinating history in jewellery production that dates back to pre-Columbian South America, but it wasn't until the 18th century that platinum was recognised and used in Europe in wedding rings and engagement rings.
Gold has been used for jewellery for thousands of years, with its earliest known use dating back to ancient Mesopotamia around 4,600 BCE, then later by the Egyptians around 3,000 BCE. Platinum in jewellery is recent compared to gold. Although platinum was known to ancient South American civilisations, such as the Incas, who used it in combination with gold around 1,000 BCE.
Platinum got its name from the Spanish word "platina," which means "little silver." This term was used by Spanish explorers and conquistadors in the 16th century when they encountered the metal in present-day Colombia. The diminutive form "platina" reflects the explorers' initial perception of the metal as an inferior or less valuable form of silver... how wrong they were:
It wasn't until Antonio de Ulloa, a Spanish scientist and naval officer brought attention to platinum in Europe after his expeditions to South America in the early 18th century. In his reports published in 1748, he described this new metal as resisting melting and having distinct properties compared to other known metals.
Despite its initial undervaluation, Platinum's properties including its resistance to tarnish and corrosion, exceptional strength, and brilliant lustre, along with it's rarity made Platinum highly desirable leading to its esteemed status. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, platinum became synonymous with luxury and sophistication, particularly in the Edwardian and Art Deco periods. Jewellers favoured it for its ability to hold intricate settings and securely display precious gemstones, especially diamonds. Platinum's rarity and durability continue to make it a premier choice for high-end jewellery, including engagement rings and wedding bands. Its enduring appeal lies in its elegant appearance, hypoallergenic nature, and the prestige associated with its exclusivity.
Platinum got its name from the Spanish word "platina," which means "little silver." This term was used by Spanish explorers and conquistadors in the 16th century when they encountered the metal in present-day Colombia. The diminutive form "platina" reflects the explorers' initial perception of the metal as an inferior or less valuable form of silver... how wrong they were:
It wasn't until Antonio de Ulloa, a Spanish scientist and naval officer brought attention to platinum in Europe after his expeditions to South America in the early 18th century. In his reports published in 1748, he described this new metal as resisting melting and having distinct properties compared to other known metals.
Despite its initial undervaluation, Platinum's properties including its resistance to tarnish and corrosion, exceptional strength, and brilliant lustre, along with it's rarity made Platinum highly desirable leading to its esteemed status. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, platinum became synonymous with luxury and sophistication, particularly in the Edwardian and Art Deco periods. Jewellers favoured it for its ability to hold intricate settings and securely display precious gemstones, especially diamonds. Platinum's rarity and durability continue to make it a premier choice for high-end jewellery, including engagement rings and wedding bands. Its enduring appeal lies in its elegant appearance, hypoallergenic nature, and the prestige associated with its exclusivity.
Platinum 950 alloy
Platinum was never used in ancient trade, so Carob seeds (carat) have no significance to platinum like they do to gold. Just like gold nowadays though, platinum is measured in parts per thousand to denote its purity. Our platinum wedding rings are made up of 95% platinum and 5% ruthenium. In this proportion, ruthenium adds very little to the platinum’s aesthetic but does improve the workability, making it easier for jewellers to shape, mould and polish the metal. Ruthenium enhances the corrosion resistance of platinum alloys, ensuring that jewellery made from these alloys remains resistant to tarnish and discolouration over time. These qualities make platinum alloys with ruthenium ideal for creating high-quality and long-lasting jewellery pieces.
How much does a platinum ring cost?
Our range of platinum wedding rings start from £248 but the price is really dependent upon the size, thickness and total weight of the ring. We do however regularly look at the price of platinum and promise to bring you the lowest price per gram. If you see a wedding ring on the high street or another site with the same specification we will be happy to match that price for you. (See our price promise)
Is platinum like white gold?
Platinum and gold are different metals with different properties. Pure 24-carat gold is yellow in colour and white gold was/is alloyed and plated to emulate to bright white natural appearance of pure platinum - which is also in fact 30 times rarer. Platinum and 18ct white gold may appear similar at first glance, both metals have a bright, white sheen that makes them popular choices for engagement rings and wedding bands; this similar aesthetic leads many to compare them directly, but that's the extent of their similarities, they have distinct differences in composition, properties, and long-term performance. Platinum is denser and more durable than white gold, should the finish scratch for example, the metal is displace on the surface rather than being lost. And unlike white gold, platinum doesn’t require rhodium plating to maintain its bright, white appearance.
Why choose a platinum ring?
Choosing a platinum ring offers many advantages, their classic bright white sheen never goes out of fashion and suites most skin tones beautifully. Platinum is one of the strongest and most durable metals, making it ideal for everyday wear, especially for wedding and engagement rings that are meant to last a lifetime. And because of platinums density and durability, platinum jewellery is typically 95% pure, giving it more intrinsic value and a sense of exclusivity. This strength and colour offers an ideal setting to allow a diamond to really shine and show its full beauty. These qualities make platinum a premium and lasting choice for fine jewellery, especially for engagement and wedding rings. However, wedding rings symbolise eternity and an unbreakable bond, with no beginning or end. Ultimately, the choice of material is a matter of personal preference, and platinum is certainly a great choice.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Exceptional durability making it ideal for everyday wear | Platinum is denser and therefore heavier than gold. | |
| Platinum rings maintain their bright luxurious appearance over time without the need for re-plating. | It only comes in one colour | |
| Platinum is typically 95% pure | ||
| The bright white sheen offers a prefect setting to really show diamonds |
Is platinum Hallmarked?
Yes, if an item is described as being made of platinum it is legally required that the item is hallmarked. This is to protect buyers from fraud and ensure that it meets the legal standards for purity. Items containing less than 0.5g of platinum are exempt. All of our platinum rings are made of Platinum 950 and are independently assessed and hallmarked by the Birmingham assay office.
Can A Platinum Ring Scratch and Scuff
Yes, platinum rings can scratch and scuff, though they handle wear differently than many other metals. Platinum sits around 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which measures a material’s resistance to scratching. This means platinum is not considered a "hard" metal—it can be scratched by any material that’s harder than it, such as steel or other metals higher on the scale. For reference, a diamond ranks at 10 on the Mohs scale (the hardest naturally occurring material), while a fingernail is around 2.5.
However, despite its relative softness, platinum’s density and malleability make it exceptionally durable and ideal for long-term wear. Here’s what you can expect in practice:
- Scratch Resistance: Platinum is highly dense and durable, which makes it resistant to deeper scratches, but it can still develop fine scratches and scuffs over time. These surface scratches are often shallower than those on other metals.
- Patina Development: Unlike gold, which loses a bit of metal when it’s scratched, platinum simply displaces. Over time, this can lead to a "patina" effect, a soft, slightly matte look that many people love for its character and vintage feel. It can make the ring look more unique and, to some, even more beautiful.
- Polishing and Maintenance: If you prefer a high-polish finish, platinum can be polished back to its original shine by a jeweler. This process will smooth out any scratches and restore the ring’s reflective finish, but it’s generally only needed once every couple of years if you want to maintain a fresh look.
Overall, platinum’s strength and unique aging process make it an excellent choice for long-term wear. If you’re comfortable with its patina or don’t mind occasional polishing, platinum’s durability and timeless beauty make it a great investment.
Book a consultation
We aim to make choosing your perfect wedding or engagement ring as easy and stress-free as possible, which is why we offer flexible no obligation consultation options to suit your needs. Choose from either a virtual online appointment, in-person at our showroom in Hessle near Hull, or our new service Joshua James at Home where we bring the showroom to you. At this appointment we can go through your ideas and help you to create the perfect piece of jewellery within a budget you are happy with.
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