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Platinum’s History Basics

Platinum’s History Basics

Platinum is a rare precious metal that is used in jewelry, wire and important devices and instruments. Platinum is also used for electrical contacts in dentistry. Since Platinum is rarer and more expensive than gold it has an irresistible appeal all its own. It is a perfect match for diamonds and is the preferred precious metal for engagement rings and wedding ring sets.

Platinum was highly regarded by Ancient Egyptians and Pre Columbians. Its name comes from the Spanish platina which means “little silver.” A Swedish researcher in 1751 named Sheffer was successful in melting platinum by adding arsenic to it. He was also the one who recognized platinum as a new element. It would be over twenty five years before scientists would figure out how to melt platinum using oxygen. This allowed platinum to be used for commercial purposes.

It was used for decoration of porcelain and for making ornaments and laboratory ware. Columbia was the only source of platinum until 1820. Deposits were found in the Ural Mountains of Russia and this became the principal source of platinum for the next 100 years. In 1888 platinum was discovered in Canada in the nickel and copper mines in Ontario. Canada became the world’s major source of platinum between the end of WWI and the 1950’s.

In the Transvaal province of South Africa, in 1924, a farmer discovered several nuggets of platinum in a riverbed. A geologist used this information and found two deposits in the area. They became known as the Bushveld Igneous Complex and today these mines provide three quarters of the world’s platinum.

Platinum is regarded as a “new” metal but in actuality it dates back to 700 BC. The ancient Egyptians mastered the techniques of processing platinum. It was combined with gold and played a big part in their culture. In the mid eighteenth century Europeans began to hold platinum in high esteem. The legendary jewelers including Faberge and Tiffany have made most of their classic and timeless designs in platinum.

Marc Etienne Janety, who was a Parisian artist and metalworker made some of the earliest decorative works in platinum. Today the only known work of Janety is a glass lined platinum sugar bowl dated from 1786. It can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The Duchess of Windsor who was an expert and collector of jewelry declared that platinum was the only jewelry choice for evening wear. The world’s most legendary diamonds, including the Jonker I and Hope are secured in platinum. In the early 1900’s platinum was at its peak in popularity and was the preferred metal for all fine jewelry in America. When WWII began the US government declared Platinum a strategic metal. It was prohibited from being used in non-military applications, which included jewelry. At this time white gold was substituted in place of platinum.

Recently platinum has made a comeback and this is partly due to new mines and sophisticated mining processes that have been developed. Platinum will always be the first choice when it comes to making timeless and classic jewelry.

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