THE SETTING 
The Importance of a Secure Setting
Your future bride will wear her engagement ring every day for many years to come. It will be subjected to stress, chemicals, bumps, bangs and constant wear. Choosing a setting that not only reflects her personal style, but holds the diamond securely and endures over time, is key. Platinum, for example, is one of the most durable and densest precious metals. Once set, platinum prongs are less likely to shift or move than prongs made from any other precious metal.
As with fine antiques and precious works of art, value is usually affected by availability. The rarer something is, the more valuable it becomes. Platinum is 30 times more rare than gold. In fact, if all the platinum existing in the world were melted and poured into an Olympic-sized swimming pool, the depth would barely reach your ankles. Conversely, gold would fill three swimming pools.
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75 year
old platinum
engagement ring
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COMPLIMENT THE DIAMOND
The most desirable diamonds are those with little or no color. Consequently, their optimal setting is a white metal that won’t reflect color into the gemstone. Platinum is a naturally pure white metal (usually 90-95% pure) that will never lose its brilliant white color. All gold is a naturally yellow metal. Many are surprised to learn that white gold actually starts off yellow, and is then mixed with other alloys to make it appear white. Over time, however, white gold will lose its white appearance and begin to yellow, requiring replating year after year in order to maintain its white look.
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The Stamp Inside the Ring
The stamp inside the ring identifies the type and purity of the metal used to produce 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.
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The Scratch Factor
All precious metals scratch. It's a natural part of everyday wear. However, a scratch on a platinum piece is merely a displacement of the metal, and no volume or value is lost. Gold, on the other hand, does lose metal and wears down when scratched.
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Value is usually determined by availability. The rarer something is, the more valuable it becomes. Platinum is 30 times rarer than gold. If all the platinum existing in the world were poured into an Olympic swimming pool, the depth would barely reach your ankles. |
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Next - Setting Styles
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