Platinum was first discovered in the alluvial (riverside) deposits of the Río Pinto, Colombia. The Spaniards called the new metal Platina del Pinto for its resemblance to silver. The world's most important deposits occur in the Transvaal of South Africa. Other deposits are found in Russia, Finland, Ireland, Borneo, New South Wales, New Zealand, Brazil, Peru and Madagascar.

The Ancient Egyptians and South American Incas prized platinum. As a matter of fact, France's Louis XVI proclaimed it the only metal fit for royalty. Legendary jewelers such as Cartier, Faberge and Tiffany created their timeless designs in platinum. The world's famous diamonds, including the Hope and Koh-l-Noor, are secured permanently in platinum.

Platinum reached its peak of popularity in the early 1900s, when it was the preferred metal for all fine jewelry in America. It dominated the world of jewelry design during the Edwardian era, the Art Deco period and well into the 1930s. At the onset of World War II, however, the U.S. government declared platinum a 'strategic' metal and its use in non-military applications, including jewelry, was banned.

Today, platinum is much more valuable than gold. Although it is used in many industrial applications, including the automotive industry, platinum jewelry consistently commands higher prices than even pure gold because of its rarity.

Also, no reserves of platinum are maintained, as in the case of the federal gold reserve in Fort Knox, TN. The annual worldwide production of platinum amounts to some 160 tons, compared to about 1,500 tons of gold. In fact, in order to produce just one ounce of platinum, about ten tons of ore must be mined.

Buying Guide:

When judging the value of platinum jewelry, always ensure that the material is indeed platinum (and not another metal, such as white gold) by checking for the amount of platinum content on the back of the piece.

Platinum content is usually marked as "950Pt", "950 Plat", or "Plat". In the United States, in order to be marked "Platinum" or "Plat", a piece of jewelry must contain at least 50% platinum. Here are some simple guidelines to help keep your platinum jewelry looking great for years:

Don't wear your jewelry while doing rough work. Even though a most jewelry is durable, a hard blow can chip a stone.  When doing household chores, never allow your jewelry to come in contact with chlorine bleach.  Bring your jewelry to a qualified jeweler if you notice a loose stone setting, stones moving or any other noticeable damage to your jewelry. It's a good idea to have a jeweler check the setting in your diamond ring (while you watch) once a year.  Always remove your jewelry before bathing and grooming. Think of your jewelry as the final touch and put it on right before you get on with your day. Hairspray, gel, body lotion, moisturizer, perfume, mousse, make-up, shaving cream and soap are chemicals that can leave a residue on jewelry, creating a dull film that is very difficult to remove.  To be safe, always remove your jewelry before working with chlorine bleach. When silver is exposed to chlorine bleach, the chemical has an oxidizing effect on the metal, causing the metal to turn an unsightly black. Chlorine bleach works well with dirty laundry, but not with jewelry.  Keep it dry. Using water to clean and rinse some of your jewelry is permissible; however, make sure it's dried thoroughly when you're done. Moisture will cause tarnish on silver and will weaken the springs and clasps.  Certain jewelry, such as pearl and gemstone jewelry, should never be soaked in water or worn when bathing. The stones in such jewelry may be glued into the settings and the moisture will cause the glue to loosen, causing the stones to fall out and get lost. Always make sure your jewelry items are thoroughly dry before placing them in an enclosed area, or your jewelry will get water spots.  When you're not wearing your jewelry, be sure to store it in a fabric-lined case or in a box with dividers or separate compartments-jewelry pieces can scratch each other.