Namrata Kohli |
Resilient, beautiful and pure: platinum is all these, giving it an appeal that jewellery made of gold, silver and diamonds lacks.
Platinum jewelry pieces are classy and
exclusive. The metal is hypoallergenic, meaning virtually no one has an
allergic reaction to it. Platinum is widely known for its ability to withstand
daily wear without thinning. This noble metal, one of the strongest, natural
materials on the planet, is also one of the longest-lasting. Platinum jewelry
is almost entirely pure, at 95% purity even when it’s set with diamonds makes
platinum one of the finest metals available on the market today. The metal is
naturally white, versus white gold which is made with the addition of alloys,
often nickel, that can cause allergic reactions. Very high on resilience, most
50+ year old antique engagement rings that are in good shape are platinum.
Platinum has a very strong molecular bond, so even after decades of daily wear,
very little metal actually rubs off.
According to a spokesperson from Platinum Guild
International (PGI), an apex body for Platinum jewellery in India, “Platinum is
the natural choice for milestone jewelry, such as engagement rings and wedding
bands, because it holds significant gemstones better than any other precious
metal. Being 40% denser than gold, platinum holds diamonds better than any
other precious metal. Platinum is extremely durable. And unlike other white
metal, which retains its whiteness only by being plated with rhodium, platinum
jewellery does not need to be plated.” PGI conducted a study with NeilsenIQ
soon after covid and found about 79% of consumers intend to purchase precious
jewellery for themselves. The study revealed that the platinum brands present the
ideal choice for self-purchase, as male and female consumers look to platinum
jewellery to mark significant personal and professional achievements.”
Why should anyone buy platinum? Explains Rohan
Sharma, Managing Director of RK Jewellers South Ex-2, “Platinum is a modern-era
elegant jewel, with the rare qualities of uniqueness and rarity, asserts to be
the most desired metal in comparison to gold, diamond, and silver. There are
several reasons why, in comparison to the other metals present, Platinum is naturally
denser which precisely makes it costlier as well, which results in it as to be
the purest and most precious metal in jewelry. In terms of acceptability and
beauty, when someone carries platinum, it showcases the grandeur of grace of
the person, adorning the jewellery pieces. Platinum tends to be a level pricier
than the other pieces, yet in contrast to the other precious metals, Platinum
has a lower resale value, which makes it a one-time investment in the market.”
But why has platinum not got that kind of
acceptability and marketability that gold and diamond have got in India. The
fact is that the Indian consumer still prefers the yellow gold or even silver
more than the white platinum. Jewellers candidly confess that we require more
platinum to make a platinum ring as compared to gold, so platinum often costs
40-50% more than gold. Also, Indians do have an inclination towards yellow gold
and we have seen it doing better than platinum or even white gold. In terms of
scratches, platinum scratches more readily than 14k gold as platinum is softer.
14k gold has a 58.3% gold composition that makes it hard to scratch or l from
dent.”
Platinum Purity
The jewellery making is more expensive with
platinum. Platinum bears a higher melting point, and therefore, platinum
jewellery is usually made in factories and not by bare hands. The jewellery
manufacturing process is intricate and requires setting up expensive machinery
and employing skilled workers. The making charges are therefore proportionately
high for platinum jewellery.
The jewellery-making charges equate to the
labour cost involved in creating the jewellery piece. These usually come to a
specific percentage of the current price of platinum in the market. This is
generally higher than the gold price.
What kind of budget should one keep for
Platinum Jewellery?
Platinum Rings budget usually depends on how
much platinum has been used in the ring and the diamond. Says Pawan Gupta, PP
Jewellers by Pawan Gupta, “The diamond cost is determined by the color, clarity,
cut and carat weight. It varies if stone is precious or semi precious.The price
of a Platinum is determined by the purity of platinum that is measured on a
scale ranging from 850 to 999 (or 85% to 99% pure).”
What about resale value of platinum pieces? For
gold it is easy but how is it computed for platinum? Platinum jewellery is
properly tested in an assaying lab for purity. The lab will provide a test
report which will state the accurate weight of the sample & its purity in
percentage or karats.
Value of Platinum in the sample = (Weight of
Platinum x Purity of Platinum x Rate of Platinum today) / 100
For a precious metal like platinum, purity is
imperative. Hallmarking the jewellery indicates its purity and type. This
grading influences the price of the metal as well. In India, the hallmark
symbol of platinum jewellery is 'Pt950'. This classification denotes purity of
95 per cent. One can identify platinum jewellery by a unique number that also
reveals the jewellery maker.
How to find real from fake Platinum. Use a
magnifying glass or a jeweler's loupe to study the markings on the Platinum
jewellery. For example Look on the inner shank of the ring for any detailed
letters or numbers. If the shank has a visible, "PT 950" symbol,
reads "PT 950" markings, then the ring is definitely platinum. If the
ring shows a 9K, 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, with or without a series of three numbers,
then the ring is not platinum. If the inside shank reads GF, GE, HGE, RGP or
GP, the ring is not platinum.
Place the ring over heat. Use an oven mitt, and
place the ring in a metal spoon. Hold the spoon over a gas stove flame. Watch
to see if the spoon and the ring change colors. If the spoon changes colors and
the piece of jewelry does not, it is probable that the ring is made of platinum.
Platinum has a very high melting point and will not change colors when it is
exposed to heat like other metals.
Take the ring to a jeweler. Allow a
professional jeweler to examine and weigh the ring. In general, a professional
jeweler will be able to correctly assess the ring without having to run
extensive tests. For most professional jewelers, platinum will be visually
recognizable and identifiable by weight. For an added fee, a jeweler will be
able to run chemical tests to determine with 100 percent accuracy whether the
ring is platinum. Also the simple fact is Platinum jewellery aren't magnetic.
Maintaining Platinum
How should one maintain platinum jewelry, store it and maintain it? Explains Rohan Sharma, Managing Director of RK Jewellers South Ex-2, “Platinum is a high-end, luxury product that does not need much deep cleansing, instead, it requires much-needed care after the purchase. The purity of Platinum ensures that it doesn’t need much cleaning in comparison to other precious metals like gold, diamond, and silver, although avoiding a few actions can keep it evergreen. Ensuring to keep the platinum separately is important to avoid any scratches, taking the platinum to the jeweler in case of any damage, and for better cleaning, it can be done by the formulated cleanser for the jewelry. However, Platinum is an investment that works for its own beauty and purity.”
Price Chart
Whether rings, earrings or bracelets, there are a wide variety of platinum pieces that you can own
|
Jewellery |
Price
(In Rs) |
|
Platinum Chain 6.09g |
28,000 |
|
Platinum Chain 22
inches 78 g |
3.5 lakhs |
|
Platinum Kada 63 g |
2.82 lakhs |
|
Luminate Platinum
Swarovski® Zirconia Earrings
|
16,087- 51,204
|
|
Platinum And Rose
Gold Bracelet 10.98g |
52,277
|
|
Platinum Bracelet
23.85g |
1.06 lakhs |
|
Platinum Ring 5.53g |
73,374
|
|
Platinum And Rose
Gold Diamond Necklace 16-inch 24.2 g |
1.46 lakhs |
Source: Candere, Kalyan Jewellers
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