The Care of Platinum Jewellery.

Platinum is a pure and rare metal, which makes it unsurprising that has been a preferred choice for delicate and exquisite jewellery for thousands of years. Egyptians were the first to use platinum nearly three thousand years ago and South American Incas are known to have worked with it. Platinum jewellery in the United Kingdom has been around since the 1800’s, when it became remarkably popular with royalty.

Platinum jewellery is ideal for even the most sensitive skin since it is hypoallergenic, whether it be platinum wedding rings, platinum necklaces or otherwise. It is one of the most durable metals and its resistance to scratches on account of its density is astonishing. The sheer shine and brilliance of platinum makes it an ideal choice for a gift for someone you love. But the problem arises after purchasing the platinum jewellery: how does one care for such a beautiful item?

• Platinum jewellery should be stored separate from othe items of jewellery to avoid them getting scratched or damaged in any way. The platinum jewellery should also be kept in a jewellery box or chamois bag.

• Platinum jewellery, particularly platinum wedding rings, should always have adequate insurance. If you are unsure as to the value of your item, you should get the advice of an independent appraiser.

• Acquire a specialist cleaning kit for the platinum jewellery, and make sure cleaning is carried out periodically. This will ensure the quality and life-span of the jewellery. Platinum should be cleaned in the same way you clean other fine jewellery. Use a pre-packaged jewellery cleaner and soak the jewellery in a mild solution of 50% ammonia and 50% warm water and then gently rubbing it with a soft cloth. Note that harsh chemicals such as ammonia should not be used on gemstones other than diamonds because it may damage them.

• Remember that all metals can be scratched, so have a qualified jeweller polish and clean the piece at least twice annually and perhaps more often if scratches appear frequently.

• Also; adjustments, resizing, polishing and cleaning of your platinum jewellery should be provided by a trained bench jeweller. This is a very common problem when dealing with platinum in that not all jewellers have experience dealing with the precious metal.

• Be aware that over time platinum develops a natural patina that many people prefer over the "just polished" appearance of platinum. When this happens to your platinum jewellery you may take it to a qualified jeweller and have the item polished for that "high gloss" look or simply ask them not to remove the patina if that is your preference.

• Do not wear your platinum or other fine jewellery when doing home cleaning, gardening, or other types of heavy work or manual labour. Jewellery is designed to be decorative, not indestructible!

• Do not wear your platinum or other fine jewellery when working with bleach or other harsh chemicals. Although the chemicals may not affect the platinum, they may discolour diamonds and other gemstones and can cause an allergic reaction with your skin if trapped between the ring and your finger.

If all these are followed your platinum jewellery will look just as good as the day you bought it and will last for a long period of time.