The Misconceptions & the Truth
For years, the jewelry industry has been harboring some misconceptions about platinum. Now that more companies are working in the precious metal again, jewelers have learned some valuable lessons about working with platinum.
Misconception:
Platinum is too difficult to work with; metal-smiths need an extreme amount of expertise. "Platinum is not difficult, just different," agrees James Huckle, product manager for jewelry in the U.S. offices of Johnson Matthey, New York, Ny. "The learning curve is steeper, but a good metalworker can master platinum's differing properties." Both Stuller and Johnson Matthey offer excellent guides for metalworkers learning to make platinum jewelry.
The Truth:
"Anyone with a modicum of experience can learn to work in platinum," says Christopher Cart, director of the assembly department at Stuller Settings, Lafayette, La. Cart has given seminars at trade shows and meetings, where he sits at a bench and shows jewelers platinum metalworking techniques. "It's true, however, that working in platinum does require extra time, especially in the finishing process."
Misconception:
Platinum jewelry must be plated with rhodium.
The Truth:
Platinum by itself is white enough so rhodium plating is not neccessary.
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