Birmingham, West Midlands (PRWEB UK) 7 January 2014
King Louis of France described Platinum as 'a metal fit only for kings', which makes sense when you look into the mining, processing and refining procedures that take place in order to extract a pure, workable material.
Hiten Shah, Managing Director at Diamond Heaven said: “People don't realise that it takes around 2 tonnes of mined Platinum ore to produce just 1 ring. It can take about 6 months to extract the ore and refine it.”
Some interesting facts about Platinum include:
- It takes 7-12 tonnes of ore to produce 1oz of pure Platinum
- Platinum is resistant to attack from most chemicals
- Platinum is durable and is used in the production of PC hard discs
- The melting point of Platinum is twice as high as Gold
Up to 90% of the world's Platinum comes from just four mines, three of which are in Africa. A yearly average suggests that 50% of the refined material is earmarked for industrial use, such as in the manufacture of catalytic converters, wiring and pacemakers.
The brilliant white metal, that takes its name from the Spanish word 'platina' which means 'little silver' became widely discussed after Antonio de Ulloa, an explorer from Seville published a report on his 'new' find in 1748. However, Platinum shortages have recently hit the headlines, as demand across the globe heavily outweighs supply, with the motor trade being its largest consumer, along with the Japanese jewellery trade.
This prestigious and valuable commodity is not only synonymous with luxury and opulence, it doesn't oxidise and is hypo-allergenic, so suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Some historically famous Platinum pieces include:
- The Queen Mother's Coronation Crown
- The Kohinoor (Mountain of Light) Diamond
- The Hope Diamond
“When people are looking for a quality piece of jewellery that won't tarnish, Platinum is an obvious choice. Our jewellery is 95% pure, an alloy is only added so we can mould it to the shape of your individual jewellery design.
“Because of the strength and weight of Platinum, it makes the perfect partner for diamonds. Not only does it hold the precious stone securely, it also adds the finishing touch to something really, truly special,” Mr. Shah said.
For more information on Platinum and Platinum Diamond jewellery, contact Diamond Heaven on: 0121 200 1300.
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About Diamond Heaven
Diamond Heaven (http://www.diamond-heaven.co.uk/) is an established jewellers, based in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. The company is one of the few UK jewellers that produce specialised diamond jewellery, including engagement rings and wedding rings, on-site from its purpose-built workshop.