[Jewelry making - Article 01142] - Re: [Orchid] Platinum vs Palladium for engagement rings

[R . E . Rourke]

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    the two are equally suited for an engagement ring/ bridal set :
    equally easy to fabricate, inlay, set, rework (, for example, down
    the line adding a hinged mounting if in the future the wearer should
    contract rheumatoid arthritis) repair, and durability (- i. e. -
    slight damages from everyday wear, MOHS ratings too similar to be of
    higher status. 

    The differences are purely aesthetic, monetary and heavily dependent
    on the platinum smith's skills ( and its given that the smith
    already has appropriate equipment and no outlay is needed to make one
    ring, one time- if Pt is not your usual material-of-choice (vs. the
    availability of a semi-mount, etc. from any distributor and popping
    in the appropriate sized stones to simplify the process to it's
    fullest !): colour (whiteness), the ability to accept an optional
    plating - of ruthenium for instance, to increase the durability of
    the ring, and perceived value. 

    However, and in the end, ultimately, it all boils down to the cost
    and buyer's purse. Palladium being, as of todays spot, less than 50%
    of the price per Troy Oz. of Platinum, or a Pt alloy (Pt/Ir, Pt/Ru,
    etc. )..money once again is the deciding factor. 

    Engagement rings are, in general tiffany style or channeled, basket,
    and more recently flush set with white diamonds. Perhaps, with or
    without baguettes, meelee, etc. and if a "suite", having 1-2
    interlocking bands ( the outer bands fitted to accentuate a standard
    mounted tiffany ring, and more rarely having coloured stone accents,
    or of non-traditional (in the N. American market ) metals like
    mokume-gane, reticulated x or y or engraved bi-metals for instance)
    and idiosyncratic elements - like Todd Reed's parade of raw diamond
    cube orientations... so the design is a factor in selling the piece
    or ability to transpose the customers wishes into something that is
    able to be fabricated and that matches or perhaps even challenges
    your skills. !!..I do wonder though if you are asking these
    questions about your experience using Platinum and its alloys and
    recommend that, unless it's simple and straightforward you don't view
    this as a testing ground..you would maybe be better off buying the
    Hoover and Strong or any other vendor's pre-fab ring(s).

rer
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