Discovering Platinum: the history
Platinum: a metal to rediscover, a precious stainless, resistant, rare, and brilliant metal. Today, in this first step to discover platinum, we get to know together its ancient and fascinating history.
Discovering Platinum: the history
First of all, it is important to know that platinum is part of the list of those metals that are very difficult to find but ideal for the world of jewelry. It is indeed ductile and malleable, but also extremely durable and very resistant to heat.
Its rarity makes it one of the most desired metals and places it among the most expensive.
A story of universes and conquest
The story of platinum is one of conquest, exploration, and adventure, which began billions of years ago.
Fragments of platinum have been found in some meteorites and this metal, throughout history, has disappeared and reappeared again and again, fascinating all those who found traces of it.
Many peoples appreciated it: the ancient Egyptians, the pre-Columbian civilizations, the Spanish conquistadors, and later, kings and alchemists. From antiquity until the 1700s as an alternative to silver and then as the most beloved precious metal by experts: the history of platinum is long and exciting.
The beginning of everything
Over two billion years ago, even before the era of dinosaurs, when only bacteria and a few other life forms lived on Earth, a meteorite that crashed north of the American continent brought with it the first traces of platinum in history, along with other precious metals, originating from the explosion of a star. Platinum, therefore, is truly a metal born from the depths of the universe, among the stars. And this, if possible, makes it even more fascinating and special.
The ancient kingdom of Nubia
1200 BC, Egyptian kingdom, extreme love for luxury and jewelry. The most beautiful ornaments of the time featured the union of gold and platinum, the two most precious metals. Just think that the daughter of the king of Thebes, Shepenupet, was buried in a sarcophagus decorated with gold and platinum. In her tomb, a small chest made of the same material was also deposited.
South America and ancient charm
A few centuries later, the civilizations of South America also used platinum to create, together with gold, accessories and jewelry used in the most important ceremonies. From this moment in history, platinum disappears, only to return in all its splendor two millennia later.
The conquest of the new world
Late 1500s, Spain expands its horizons thanks to the adventures of the conquistadors. Platinum was found precisely by them in the vast territories of Latin America. "Platina," it was called. Little silver. A worthless material, almost to be discarded, as if it had no value. It can be said that its name originated from a human error!
For these men thirsty for gold, platinum seemed a worthless metal, to be thrown into the rivers of Ecuador and forgotten. If only they had known what wealth they had in their hands!
Platinum was destined to disappear from history books for a few more years...
The return to the European courts
1700, new century, new powers. Europe and its alchemists finally began to appreciate this unusual material, with astonishing chemical properties. Platinum, imported from the Americas, was used in potions and concoctions, under the belief that it could transform materials like lead into gold.
Fortunately, in 1751, the first scientific recognition by Swedish scientist Scheffer allowed platinum to become one of the most appreciated materials at court. The King of France Louis XVI even called it "the only metal fit for a king," ordering the court jeweler to forge as many objects as possible for him in this new and astonishing material.
From the courts to Cartier
In the 1800s, platinum set fashion trends in Europe and Russia: kings, queens, princesses, tsars, and maharajas loved to wear platinum jewelry and accessories. Some even went as far as decorating entire palace rooms with platinum details.
In 1900, this metal officially became a jewelry material: Luis Cartier in fact proposed the first collections of jewelry entirely in platinum. This malleable metal, perfect for creating jewelry and accessories, actually helped enhance the light and brilliance of the diamonds set in it.
A beautiful Forever Eternity ring in platinum and diamonds by Salvini
Discovering Platinum: the history
Today, platinum is considered one of the most precious materials in the world, rare and immensely valuable. So precious that its story continues even today, also at Ferro Gioielli...
But we still have much to discover about this metal! If you are curious to learn about its composition, its peculiarities, and how to find it also at Ferro Gioielli, keep following us!
