The differences between gold and platinum

When you want to buy a ring, it can be difficult to choose between gold and platinum because of the many similarities between the two metals. They are both precious, beautiful, strong and versatile. Both precious metals also suit a variety of styles, gemstones and skin types. Knowing the history of these precious metals and understanding the difference in value, appearance and care required can help you choose. Gold has been mined for more than 7,000 years Archaeologists still regularly discover new gold objects, including jewelry. Some of the oldest gold rings, bracelets and necklaces were found in a Bulgarian cemetery in the first half of the 1970s. The gold in these jewels must have been mined between 4,600 and 4,200 BC – several centuries before the Egyptian and Roman empires emerged! Gold can be found on every continent, but the highest concentrations are in Africa and India. This precious metal is rarely found in its pure form, but is usually mixed with other metals and minerals and must be refined before it becomes useful. During refining, gold is heated several times and often mixed with an alkaline cyanide solution to remove secondary metals, minerals and other impurities. Over time, this process produces pure gold, a thick but soft and malleable precious metal with a bright yellow color. Just over 50% of all refined gold is used for jewelry. The rest is made into gold bars and coins, as well as electrical connections that are still used in some industries. Gold intended for the jewelry market is usually mixed with other precious metals to create gold mixtures or alloys. This is done because pure gold is soft and can easily be scratched or the ring quickly deformed. Gold alloys are much stronger and can withstand the abuse of daily use for a lifetime and longer.