Although platinum was discovered in 1557 by physician Julius Caesar Scaliger, it wasn’t until the 19th Century that it started to appear in jewellery. Goldsmiths realised that this malleable metal also had a great deal of strength and polished up to a high shine. It also doesn't lose any volume when scratched, which means it doesn't devalue. Initially used to mount diamonds in traditional yellow gold rings to make the gem appear larger, platinum jewellery really took off in its own right in the 1920s. Today, it's highly sought-after and very popular as an alternative to yellow, rose or white gold.
You should also take a look at our palladium diamond rings, yellow gold, and white gold.
Yes. This makes it very useful in jewellery, especially for people who are sensitive to the alloy metals used in producing 9k and 18k gold. While an allergy to pure gold is very rare, some people will react to alloy metals such as silver and copper. These metals are used to give gold jewellery strength and resilience. Platinum doesn't have this problem, so some people choose it over gold.
Find out more about our metals with our metal education guide.
Incredibly rare. In fact, platinum is 30 times rarer than gold. It’s also used for a wide range of other uses in medicine, electronics, and technology. That means there’s even less to go around, so platinum jewellery is highly sought-after. As platinum trades more than a comparable amount of gold, it's easy to see why a platinum ring with a diamond is such a luxury item. However, that little piece of platinum will not only hold its value, but it'll hold a place in your heart for a lifetime, creating exceptional jewellery that is cherished and loved.
Browse other platinum jewellery types including our diamond earrings and bracelets.
Pure platinum does not tarnish, but bear in mind that, like gold, platinum has a certain amount of alloy metals to give it strength. So it may develop a matt patina over time. For men's platinum rings, this can give a ring a more masculine look. But if you want to keep the shine, platinum can be effortlessly polished and brought back to its original lustre with a soft cloth and a little gentle rubbing. Cleaning is easy: simply soak in warm soapy water for a few minutes, rinse and dry, and you'll remove any dirt, natural skin oils or bacteria from your ring. Read our blog on cleaning your diamond rings.