All About Platinum
This year, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth marks her platinum jubilee, celebrating how she ascended to the throne 70 years ago in 1952 when her father died. As the longest-serving head of state, she’s the first British monarch to celebrate this historic platinum milestone. Platinum also happens to be the special precious metal we use for 70^th wedding anniversary gifts.

Durability
Looking for elegance and durability? Platinum is an incredibly strong and dense metal. One of the rarest of our metals, platinum is associated with luxury and prestige. It hardly tarnishes and that silvery white look is all natural, too, unlike other metals that are created with alloys to achieve that same appearance.

One of the least reactive metals, platinum is used in jewelry, in lab equipment, in industrial applications and even medical and dental applications. Another big use: as a catalyst, as in car catalytic converter systems.

Work-Hardening of Platinum
We all love gold, but platinum holds a special allure, too. Unlike gold, it shouldn’t ever need replating. In a phenomenon known as “work hardening,” platinum loses less “metal mass” over the years than gold which is more likely to eventually wear down. As platinum wears, the surface actually becomes stronger, like a couple’s love! The result is a satiny sheen called a patina.

As David says, “Platinum is an investment you make in the beginning that pays off down the road!”

Source
According to How Stuff Works, platinum is primarily found in South Africa, mined as ore from deep underground. The website reports that Spaniards discovered the metal in South America and tossed it aside, thinking it was simply an impurity in silver. The story is that they labeled it “platina” meaning “little silver” which is where we get the word platinum.

Selection
At David Craig Jewelers, platinum is offered in a large selection of bracelets, women’s engagement rings, necklaces and more. One of the most trends we see is the use of platinum in men’s wedding bands. This sturdy metal has a high resale value and is additionally a great choice for sensitive skin since platinum is totally hypoallergenic.

Interesting in learning more? Stop on in and visit us at David Craig Jewelers at 10 Summit Square Shopping Center, Langhorne, PA 19047 (considered Newtown by many).