As a metal so flawless and pristine, Platinum is regarded by many to be a first rate material with which jewelry is made. As of late, it has become the favored precious metal of the celebrity. Understandably, this has put many under the impression that platinum – or rather its use in Jewelry – is “cutting edge” – a common misconception.

History of Platinum

Platinum jewelry, like gold jewelry has a long and illustrious history. Traces of Platinum are reported to have been found in Egyptian artifacts dating back to 1200 BC. It is said, that around 700 BC, the ancient Egyptians had fully mastered the art and technique with which Platinum is processed. The Natives in Central and South America are said to have worked with it as far back as 100 BC – combining it with Gold. The Spanish – during their campaign to conquer and colonize the New World, came across Platinum artifacts. Upon discovery, they called Platinum by the name “Platina” which means “Little Silver”. Foolishly thinking of it to be of no value, they discarded the artifacts and plundered the gold instead.

Platinum did not reach Europe until the 18^th Century. In 1751, Swedish scientist Theophil Scheffer took note of the unique properties of platinum, declaring it to be a precious metal. King Louis XVI referred to Platinum as “The Metal of Kings”. Marc Etienne Janety (1750-1823) – A French Artist/Metalworker (most famous for his mastery of the Arsenic process) and private jeweler to King Louis, designed a number of platinum artifacts. Most notable of these is a Platinum sugar bowl which can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Although Louis XVI was dispatched in the French revolution, the passion for platinum did not diminish and the appreciation for its unique and rare qualities only increased. King Carlos III of Spain is said to have commissioned an elegant and magnificent platinum chalice which was presented to Pope Pius VI. King Carlos IV of Spain had a “Platinum Room” built in his summer palace at Aranjuez.

In the 19^th Century, further progress was made, and platinum deposits were discovered in the Russian Urals. So plentiful were these sources, that throughout the 19^th Century, the Russians incorporated Platinum coins into their economy. In addition – with the onset of Diamond-Mining in South Africa, Platinum presented itself as the ideal setting for the stone. So perfect of a setting is platinum that the three most famous diamonds – the Hope, Jonker I, and the Koh-I-Noor – are all set in Platinum.

Celebrated jewelers such as Louis Cartier, Peter Faberge and Charles Tiffany earned and obtained much of their fame and success due to their timeless and magnificent designs made in platinum.

Around the early 1900’s, Platinum Jewelry reached the pinnacle of its popularity becoming the preferred precious metal for fine jewelry in America. Yet at the start of World War II (due to its density and durability), the United States Government proclaimed Platinum a “Strategic Metal” and in doing so outlawed its use in jewelry. To the consumer who valued the purity and white luster of Platinum, the jewelers introduced White Gold.

Interestingly enough – Platinum has many uses outside of the realm of Jewelry. It (as stated) is/was used in wartime for armaments. It should also be noted that Platinum is vital to the automobile industry and is used in electrical engineering, electronics and petrochemicals. The Dental and Medical field make use of Platinum as well. Due to the vital role which Platinum plays in industry, it can be understood as to why only 1/3 of Platinum which is mined is used in jewelry.

After World War II, when the ban on civilian use of Platinum was lifted, Platinum Jewelry quickly regained its popularity. There are many contributing factors which led to this resurgence. Put aside the fact Platinum is the most exquisite of all metals, Platinum is also known to be the most durable. It does not tarnish, and unlike other metals, it does not distort when exposed to heat. Platinum Jewelry is also known to be the most pure. Unlike 18k (75% Gold) and 14k (58% Gold), Platinum Jewelry is 90%-95% Platinum. Unlike Silver, Platinum is Hypo-Allergenic. In all this - Despite its rarity, the price of Platinum has remained steady. Especially now – a time when Platinum is within $200 of Gold, many (especially Brides) are turning to Platinum as the ‘must have’ of Jewelry.

Mila Kunis Arrives at the Premiere of Extract in Neil Lane Jewelry.She wore White topaz and diamond earrings, a wide diamond and platinum flower cuff, diamond and platinum bracelets and cocktail ring.

Milena Markovna “Mila” Kunis (Ukrainian: Мілена Марківна Куніс, Russian: Милена Маркοвна Кунис; born August 14, 1983) is an American actress. Her television work includes the role of Jackie Burkhart on That ’70s Show and she provides the voice of Meg Griffin on the animated series Family Guy. She has also played roles in film, such as Rachel Jansen in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and as Mona Sax in Max Payne.

An extract factory owner deals with workplace problems and a streak of bad luck.

Salma Hayek and her billionaire husband who fathered her child made it official, again, with a second wedding ceremony and party in Venice over the weekend. Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault, who have a 1-year-old daughter (September 21, 2007), Valentina Paloma Pinault, were married in the Venice opera house, and guests wore Venetian masks.

The bride, who first tied the knot with Pinault on Valentine’s Day in Paris, wore a Balenciaga wedding gown — Balenciaga just happens to be one of the luxury labels owned by Pinault’s family firm, PPR — and a long veil, and carried a bouquet of orchids and stephanotis with crystals, People reports.

Her engagement ring that Salma wore was made of platinum and had a diamond that was oval-shaped and must easily have been over five carats. A fitting ring indeed for someone as beautiful and talented as Salma Hayek.

Rhea Durham and Mark Wahlberg have been following the new Hollywood trend platinum diamond ring. Rhea Durham and Mark Wahlberg have been together since 2001 and have three children, Ella Rae (born September 2, 2003), Michael (born March 21, 2006) and Brendan Joseph (born September 16, 2008). Rhea Durham said “I do” to Mark Wahlberg while wearing a new platinum and cushion cut diamond engagement ring by Neil Lane. They got married on August 1, 2009 in a private Catholic ceremony in Beverly Hills, California.

Rhea Durham says she is more focused on raising her children, where she and Mark use a conservative parenting manner that is similar to how they were raised as well as a reaction to the fast-paced fashion and movie worlds.

Although she first caught Andy Roddick’s eye as a bikini-clad beauty in the pages of Sports Illustrated, model Brooklyn Decker never looked more picturesque than on the evening of April 17, 2009, when she wore a Vera Wang gown and said “I do” to the tennis star.

She met her husband when his agent called hers to arrange a date. “That happens all the time to girls,” Decker says, blushing a little, “but his was the one number I kept.” For their first get-together, Roddick took her to dinner, then an Upright Citizens Brigade comedy show. “He was the first to admit that he kind of stalked me,” Decker says. “But his line was ‘It’s only stalking if the other person doesn’t like it.’”

Standing amid the brightly-petaled blooms which transformed the grooms residence into a tropical paradise for the pair, bridesmaids in cocoa-colored creations looked on as the couple exchanged matching wedding bands from Tiffany & Co.  to accompany the engagement ring, (platinum NOVO ring from Tiffany’s,)  which has graced her finger since March 2008. All the best to the happy couple!

We count on our favorite Hollywood stars to set the trends when it comes to their jewelry choices, and engagement and wedding rings are no exception. Whether they get engaged in Rome or wed in Malibu, members of the A-List prefer to commemorate their special occasions with platinum diamond rings.

After all, platinum provides an ideal setting since it’s stronger than other precious metals, which means that you don’t have to worry about losing the treasured center stone with everyday wear. Also, platinum is a naturally white metal, allowing the diamond to sparkle even brighter. Since platinum is so durable and loses little metal over time, the ring will undoubtedly become a family heirloom that can be passed down for generations to follow.

Some recent examples of there are:
Kevin Jonas made an impression on fiancé Danielle Deleasa by proposing with a platinum and 3-carat cushion cut diamond engagement ring from Jacob & Co. The ring features a double shank band with 210 round pavé diamonds.

Ivanka Trump loves her platinum and 5-carat cushion cut diamond engagement ring from her own collection, Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry.

The Bachelorette: Jillian Harris was overjoyed to receive a platinum and pear shaped diamond engagement ring from Neil Lane that included six baguettes and 94 round cut diamonds.

Kevin Jonas surprised his girlfriend Danielle Deleasa by showing up at her doorstep in New Jersey and dropping down to his knee to ask her to marry him. He presented her with a cushion-cut diamond ring that Jonas designed with Jacob & Co., Danielle couldn’t believe what was happening.

She answered, ” yes, yes, yes like 500 times super fast in a row,”.

Kevin Jonas is the oldest member of the Jonas Brothers band.

Kevin Jonas, 21, and Danielle Deleasa, 22, who met in May of 2007 while vacationing with their families in the Bahamas, are aiming to have a tropical wedding. “It still feels like a dream, said Danielle.

The future Mrs. Jonas’ Jacob & Co. ring is crafted in platinum and features a solitaire cushion-cut diamond, with a total weight of 3 carats. Surrounding the center stone are 210 round brilliant-cut pave diamonds totaling .72 carats.

On July 15 Ivanka Trump got engaged to the owner of the New York Observer Jared Kushner. Jared surprised Ivanka by purchasing a 5.22 carat cushion-cut diamond with a platinum and diamond mounting from Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, her signature jewelry line. She announced the engagement via her twitter account the following day. She tweeted “I got engaged last night…truly the happiest day of my life!!!”.

We would like to wish Jared and Ivanka many happy healthy years together.

Jillian Harris the Bachelorette received an amazing diamond ring from Ed Swiderski last night. The ring has a diamond and platinum ring set with a pear shaped diamond weighing 2.05 carats. The center diamond is further accented with six baguettes and 94 round cut diamonds which weigh 1.03 carats for a total diamond weight of 3.08 carats. This custom ring, designed and signed by Neil Lane, is handmade.

This is the second time a Neil Lane diamond ring was used to propose on the Bachelor. The first time was time was Bachelor Jason Mesnick giving a custom ring to Melissa Rycroft.

The following information was obtained exclusively by JewelersLounge from Neil Lane.

The Bachelorette Jillian Harris has accepted a proposal from Ed Swiderski in the 2 hour season finale of the Bachelorette. After Jillian told Ed “There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m madly in love with you,”. Ed got down on one knee and proposed with a $60,000 Neil Lane platinum and diamond ring.

The custom ring, designed and signed by Neil Lane, was handmade. Hosted by Chris Harrison, The Bachelorette is a production of Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon Television.

As a leading Hollywood jewelry designer, hailed in the media as The King of Bling, the Ace of Diamonds, Neil Lane has influence and impact both domestically and internationally.

Neil Lane, with a fabulous eye for elegance and style, is the favorite jeweler for Hollywood brides to be. Lane has supplied engagement rings for everyone from Reese Witherspoon and Kate Hudson to Sandra Bullock, Brooke Shields and Jennifer Hudson, among others. Lane also helped former Bachelor Jason Mesnick select a custom ring for his proposal to Melissa Rycroft on the last season of The Bachelor. Whether worn for the Oscars, or other red-carpet events or engagements, his iconic jewelry designs have been adorned by some of the most beautiful and powerful women in Hollywood, including Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Elizabeth Taylor, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, and many others.

We here at JewelersLounge would like to congratulate the new couple and wish them many happy and healthy years together.

A Neil Lane press release was used to contribute to this report.

Here is a large picture of the ring.