Some people enjoy collecting valuable jewelry; perhaps you are one of them. Aside from being an investment, various precious jewelry is frequently used to demonstrate one's social status. |
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Gold jewelry is still the most popular on the market today. However, a variety of jewelry made of other metals, including platinum, is equally appealing.
Platinum is one of the most expensive metals used in jewelry, and it is also one of the most rare. The price even outperforms the market price for gold jewelry.
This increases the demand for platinum, despite the fact that there are only a few shops on the market that sell these items. Most people collect platinum jewelry for reasons other than its high prices.
So, what exactly is it about this jewelry that makes it so expensive? Here are some of the reasons why platinum jewelry is more expensive than gold:
1. Increased density
Platinum's density is one of the reasons for its high market price, including after being used as jewelry. When compared to gold, platinum has a higher density.
Platinum metal weighs approximately 50% more than gold in the same (physical) size. For example, if a gold ring in size 8 is made with 8 grams of gold, a ring in the exact size will require 14 grams of platinum.
Platinum will be heavier than gold due to this level of density. This will have an impact on the market price of this precious metal. The larger the platinum jewelry you desire, the more expensive it will be to bring it home.
2. Maximum purity of 95%
In practice, jewelry will be created by melting and mixing the main metal with the addition of other metals. This is true for almost all metal jewelry, including gold and platinum.
When making jewelry with 18 karat gold, which has a gold content of 75%, this other metal will be added at a rate of 25% of the total weight of the jewelry to be made. However, platinum metal only requires 5% more metal in the manufacture of platinum jewelry.
Platinum has a very high purity level, even reaching 95%. Furthermore, the alloying metal used in the jewelry-making process will include precious metals whose prices are nearly equal to the price of platinum itself.
This will have an impact on the high price of platinum jewelry. Meanwhile, gold jewelry is typically mixed with additional metals that are less expensive, such as copper and silver, which are less expensive than gold.
3. Increased production costs
Platinum has a harder character than gold and is more difficult to form into jewelry. Gold that softens easily when heated will undoubtedly be easier to shape into jewelry.
This will also shorten and simplify the manufacturing process, as well as contribute to lower production costs. Hard platinum, on the other hand, is difficult to shape into jewelry.
Both have very different melting points. Platinum has a melting point of 3214 degrees Fahrenheit, while gold has a melting point of 1949 degrees Fahrenheit.
Platinum's high melting point necessitates more sophisticated equipment as well as a longer process when formed into jewelry. All of this will increase the cost of producing this precious metal jewelry.
4. Inclusion of rare metals
Despite its scarcity, gold production remains relatively high year after year. This valuable metal is still found in many places, including Indonesia.
Every year, at least 1,500 tons of gold can be produced through the mining process. When compared to platinum mining, which produces only about 160 tons per year, this is an enormous amount.
Because mining only provides a limited yield each year, the rarity of platinum will undoubtedly have a significant impact on its price.
Should I buy gold or platinum jewelry?
Platinum is a precious metal whose price is quite high, even exceeding that of gold. If you want to invest or simply collect jewelry, these two precious metals should be considered. Platinum is an option for jewelry that is more durable and not easily damaged. However, if you want jewelry that is both affordable and liquid, gold is the way to go.
Unlike gold, which is abundant throughout the world, platinum is extremely rare. This precious metal is only found in a few countries, the two main producers being Russia and South Africa.
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