The History of Platinum
Platinum Timeline
From Professional Jeweler, July 1999
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Circa 700 B.C.: Ancient Egyptians master the techniques of processing platinum and decorate the casket that holds the documents for High Priestess Schepenupet with ornate platinum hieroglyphics. |
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Circa 100 B.C.: Indians in Pre-Columbian South America succeed in working platinum and gold together, creating nose rings and other jewelry. |
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1590: Spanish Conquistadors discover a white metal in the rivers of Ecuador. Not realizing its superb qualities, they name it contemptuously platina (little silver) and throw it back into the river to ripen into silver. |
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1790: A French goldsmith makes platinum jewelry for King Louis XVI, who later declares platinum the “only metal fit for kings.” |
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1875: Vast diamond deposits are discovered in Kimberley, South Africa, resulting in a new jewelry style using diamonds set in the “modern” metal, platinum. |
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1912: White gold is “invented” in Pforzheim, Germany, as a substitute for platinum. |
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1924: Geologist Dr. Hans Merensky discovers the largest deposits of platinum ever found, west of Johannesburg, South Africa. |
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1939: World War II causes the restriction of platinum for any use other than the war effort in the U.S. White gold’s popularity soars quickly to fill the gap. |
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1945: After the war, platinum does not regain its popularity. The long reign of yellow gold begins. |
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1967: Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s wedding rings are platinum. The next few decades will see growth in the popularity of platinum jewelry. |
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1999: Platinum jewelry sales at the consumer level rise 700% in the course of six years. |
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Today: Platinum’s abundant presence on the “red carpet” attests to its popularity.
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