| When a man is engaged he commits himself | | | | discovered in Ecuador by Spanish people in |
| heart and soul to the woman he chooses to be | | | | the late sixteenth century. Platinum only |
| his wife. The engagement ring has to special | | | | began to be used two centuries later. It is |
| as it is the expression of his love and | | | | now in vogue and is one of the most |
| commitment. Diamonds have long been the first | | | | fashionable metals these days. |
| choice where engagement rings are concerned. | | | | |
| A white sparkling diamond looks radiant on | | | | White gold, a mixture of alloys, plated with |
| the finger of a bride. The ring's aesthetic | | | | Rhodium is also used extensively in setting |
| appeal is determined by the choice of metal | | | | diamond rings. White gold is less durable |
| used in setting the diamonds. | | | | than platinum, though, and loses its luster |
| | | | sooner. Platinum used in jewelry is ninety |
| Platinum is fast becoming the favorite choice | | | | five percent pure platinum and five percent |
| in diamond settings and bands. Over the past | | | | alloy. This makes it more durable and |
| fifty years it has steadily climbed in | | | | suitable for regular use. Platinum is rarer |
| popularity as being both a durable and | | | | and four times as costly as gold, but still |
| beautiful metal. Weighing sixty percent more | | | | people prefer it to white gold because it is |
| than gold, platinum is stronger, denser and | | | | more resistant to wear and tear. Another |
| therefore provides more protection to the | | | | reason for platinum being a popular choice is |
| diamond. Platinum is white in color and | | | | that its hypo allergic in nature, and |
| enhances the beauty of diamonds as well as | | | | therefore doesn't irritate the skin. |
| complementing them perfectly. Platinum was | | | | |