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