The Setting

Your Legacy to Pass On…

Because your future bride will wear her diamond engagement ring everyday for many years to come, even passing it on from generation to generation, it will become subjected to stress, chemicals, and constant wear. Using a precious metal like platinum for the ring’s setting is a key decision in ensuring that the diamond will be held securely, enduring a lifetime of wear.

All precious metals scratch. It's a natural part of everyday wear. And while gold rings lose metal and wear down when scratched, a scratch on a platinum piece is merely a displacement of the metal with no volume or value lost.

Platinum Ignites a Diamond’s Fire.

The rarest, most beautiful diamonds have very little color. So, it makes sense that their optimal setting is in a genuinely white metal that won’t reflect color into the diamond itself. Platinum is naturally pure white metal (usually 90-95% pure) that never loses its brilliant white luster. Pure gold is a naturally yellow metal and white gold is actually yellow gold that has simply been mixed with other alloys to make it look white. Over time, white gold loses its whiter shade and begins to yellow. It then needs to be re-plated year after year to maintain its white look.

Look for The Quality Assurance Inside the Ring.

The stamp inside the ring identifies the type and purity of the metal used in the setting. Markings on a ring that denote platinum are Platinum, Plat or Pt, followed by the level of purity, i.e. Pt 900 or Pt 950. 900 denotes 90% pure platinum, and 950 is 95% pure platinum.

Exactly How Valuable is the Setting?

Just like putting a value on a particular diamond, the setting’s value is a combination of several factors.

Rarity

The rarer the metal, the more valuable it becomes. Platinum is 30 times more rare than gold. Imagine if all the platinum existing in the world were poured into an Olympic-sized swimming pool, the depth would barely reach your ankles.

Purity

In the ring’s setting, the purer the metal, the less there is of baser alloys. Engagement and wedding rings made from platinum are typically 90-95% pure. Rings made from 18k Gold are only 75% pure.

Durability

The ability of a head to firmly secure the diamond and a shank’s capacity to survive years of daily wear only adds to its value. Because wedding jewelry often becomes a timeless heirloom, it’s crucial to use a substantial and durable metal for the ring.

Cost

Many factors can influence the cost of a particular diamond ring – the metal that is used, the amount of it, and its purity; the design and craftsmanship; the retailer and their mark-up. Generally speaking, the better the diamond, the less difference there will be in cost of the setting. In engagement rings with diamonds over a carat, a different metal in the same setting will account for a difference in price of only 10%. Maybe even less.

As you shop for engagement rings, ask the sales associate to let you hold each ring in your hand. With platinum, you can actually feel the difference. The physical density of platinum’s precious metal properties gives it a substance and luxurious weight that immediately lets you know you are holding the highest quality piece of fine jewelry available.