The platinum group metals (PGM),
comprise six closely related metals: Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium,
Ruthenium, Iridium and Osmium.
Platinum ( simbol Pl) was excepted as a precious metall only after
second half of 19th century and has a deep luster and a rich, white
color. It is rarer and heavier than all precious metals and considered
to be more valuable than gold.
Platinum is often used to set the most valuable gems to produce
the finest jewelry. Platinum holds gemstones most securely, because
its strength and neutral color enhances the brilliance and depth
of diamonds and precious stones. Because of its density and weight,
you can feel the difference between platinum and other precious
metals. There are no karat marks to identify platinum. In the United
States platinum is usually marked:
PT or PLAT.
In Europe, platinum is identified by the following marks:
950
or PT950.
Since platinum is the purest metal it rarely causes an allergic
reaction. There is an increased interest in platinum jewelry both
in the US and abroad. |
