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A Platinum Wedding Ring Is For Life
Author: Kim Allarie
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Platinum isn't just a precious metal. It's the heart and soul of an exquisite wedding ring. Platinum wedding rings are often more costly than a wedding band crafted from white gold, even though they look very much alike. Frequently, they are nearly double the price. However, there are some excellent reasons for the price difference.
Platinum has an exceptional ability to hold its shape. It is concentrated and can maintain its symmetry even with the daily stresses that a wedding ring frequently undergoes. It also resists scratches and nicks, a regular worry. But because it's such a rare metal, it's much more expensive than the alternatives.
However, there could be a reason to get a platinum wedding ring that trumps all the rest: platinum is sensational in its appearance.
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As attractive as white gold rings are, the hue is attained by blending gold with white alloys like palladium or, in less expensive rings, nickel. Also, the color is sometimes attained through applying a layer of rhodium. However, this wears away with time and must be refinished.
On the other hand, a platinum ring is almost completely pure metal. Most are 90 to 95 percent pure, so a platinum ring has more substance and is brighter, with an exceptional luster that cannot be replicated by any other alloy. It's a first-class material, even in a category of jewelry that boasts a number of precious metals like silver and gold.
These two facets of platinum - its practicality and its astonishing good looks - open the door to numerous design alternatives.
Platinum has been a component of wedding rings for thousands of years. It was employed by the ancient Egyptians who drawn to its magnificence. Artisans of South America utilized "little silver", as it was called, in numerous decorations. When Louis XVI caught on to this precious metal in the 18th century, its place of honor in contemporary times was secured.
Modern society is the fortunate recipient of these historical trends, because platinum wedding rings now encompass a vast range of designs.
Even an ordinary wedding ring crafted from platinum is a stylish piece of jewelry. It requires nothing but itself to offer an elegance that anybody could wear with pride. However, it can also be embellished in countless ways.
An understated line of sapphires will transform a platinum wedding ring into a cherished possession that can be passed on for generations to come. A square-cut diamond might be the centerpiece of a design that elevates an already splendid piece to fresh heights. Even a ring without any gems, whose sole decorations are enchanting silver channels or palladium facets, could effortlessly radiate tremendous style and sophistication.
A high quality platinum wedding band will be around 900-950Pt, an indication that it's 90 to 95 percent pure. But the other 5 to 10 percent is certainly not base metal. It's usually comprised of a mix of osmium, iridium, and similar alloys that enhance the stunning good looks of these exquisite items of jewelry.
Choose a platinum wedding ring and you will be pleased with your selection forever. And your descendents will be thankful for your discernment as well.
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