Platinum
Often heralded as just as beautiful as the gems it displays, platinum boasts a silvery-white luster that imparts unmistakable elegance and blends well with a variety of metals and stones. Four times stronger than gold, platinum is renowned for its hard-wearing properties, resistance to damage and wear, and its substantial heft.At Somerton, we're proud to offer a wide assortment of platinum settings for our finest jewelry pieces.
Often heralded as just as beautiful as the gems it displays, platinum boasts a silvery-white luster that imparts unmistakable elegance and blends well with a variety of metals and stones. Four times stronger than gold, platinum is renowned for its hard-wearing properties, resistance to damage and wear, and its substantial heft.At Somerton, we're proud to offer a wide assortment of platinum settings for our finest jewelry pieces.
Platinum Purity
Considered among the most pure and precious metals used in modern-day jewelry making, platinum has become synonymous with luxury and longevity. Because of its hardness and durability, pure platinum is often mixed with other metals to make it more malleable. The most common alloy metals paired with platinum are copper, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and titanium.
Although some alloys may be billed as platinum by jewelry sellers, there are stringent requirements for what constitutes a 'pure' platinum piece. Only metals marked with a 950 or 900 purity designation are considered high-grade platinum. Alloys containing a lower ratio are often used to make jewelry, but these pieces don't impart the same high standards of quality, longevity, or beauty. At Somerton, we use only the purest platinum alloys to craft our fine jewelry.
Although some alloys may be billed as platinum by jewelry sellers, there are stringent requirements for what constitutes a 'pure' platinum piece. Only metals marked with a 950 or 900 purity designation are considered high-grade platinum. Alloys containing a lower ratio are often used to make jewelry, but these pieces don't impart the same high standards of quality, longevity, or beauty. At Somerton, we use only the purest platinum alloys to craft our fine jewelry.
950 Platinum
Pieces marked with a 950 purity are a blend of 95% platinum and 5% alloy metals (usually ruthenium , copper, cobalt, iridium, rhodium, or palladium).
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900 Platinum
Pieces marked with a 900 purity consist of 90% platinum and 10% alloy metals (usually ruthenium or iridium).
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Platinum vs. White Gold
Care
To maintain the beauty and shine of a piece of platinum jewelry, be sure to clean it periodically. It's safe to use the same cleaning methods you would use for gold'immerse it in a mild, non-abrasive jewelry cleaner and then gently rub the surface of the metal with a soft cloth. Every few months or so, have a professional jeweler perform a thorough cleaning and buff the surface free of any scratches. If you'd like, you can also ask the jeweler to polish the metal for a shinier look; otherwise, it will acquire a matte patina over time. At Somerton, we offer complimentary cleaning and polishing services for every fine jewelry product we sell. Contact us to learn more about how your favorite platinum jewelry can look new again. When you're not wearing your platinum jewelry, it's best to store it in its own cloth bag, sealable plastic bag, or lined box to keep it from coming into contact with other pieces, which can result in scratching.
Palladium
Deemed a smart, lighter alternative to platinum, palladium has gained immense popularity as a chosen metal for jewelry by women and men alike. Palladium is a precious metal that possesses an uncanny resemblance to platinum without the price tag. Its natural color is white, so this metal does not require rhodium-plating to render it into a fashionable jewelry shop novelty. Another appealing characteristic of palladium is that it is hypoallergenic (nickel free) and resistant to tarnish caused by prolonged wear and exposure.
Deemed a smart, lighter alternative to platinum, palladium has gained immense popularity as a chosen metal for jewelry by women and men alike. Palladium is a precious metal that possesses an uncanny resemblance to platinum without the price tag. Its natural color is white, so this metal does not require rhodium-plating to render it into a fashionable jewelry shop novelty. Another appealing characteristic of palladium is that it is hypoallergenic (nickel free) and resistant to tarnish caused by prolonged wear and exposure.