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.
