By Jewelry and Style Expert, Michael O’Connor

We’ve all heard the term “high maintenance.” It may be used to refer to our car, our house, our friends, and yes, maybe even our girlfriend. The term implies that a high amount of care and attention must be provided to these things, and to some extent suggests that it should be evaluated. After all, wouldn’t we all prefer to have things and associate with people who require little, or a small amount of maintenance? And while the “benefits” of having some high maintenance people in your life might outweigh the deficits, when it comes objects, high maintenance is more difficult to justify.

Platinum and diamond engagement ring by Simon G. Jewelry

Such is the case with jewelry. When we choose a piece of jewelry we have to be aware of the amount of maintenance, particularly if it is going to be worn every day and is expected to last a lifetime. This is one of the reasons why you rarely see a fragile gemstone used in an engagement ring, which will be worn daily.  The most common engagement gemstone therefore, is the most durable, a diamond. Metals also require maintenance, which is why choosing the correct setting for your engagement ring and wedding bands is as important, if not more important, than choosing the right gem (or a low maintenance girlfriend for that matter). Hence, the popularity of the classic platinum and diamond engagement ring!

Platinum is one of the most durable of precious metals and the most appropriate setting for an engagement ring and wedding bands. Platinum’s durability ensures it will not wear down as quickly as other metals. Comparatively, gems will be held more securely, prongs will not wear away as quickly, and patterns and engravings will last longer in a platinum setting, requiring far less maintenance than some other settings.

Another great property of platinum, specifically when holding a diamond, is that it is naturally white and will never fade or tarnish over time. Coincidentally, since one pays a premium for the colorlessness of a diamond, platinum’s natural whiteness will never add any of its own color into the gem. White metals, like silver, will tarnish over time and require regular maintenance to remain consistently white. Gold is a naturally yellow metal, and is made white in color by being mixed with whiter metals to dilute the yellow color, and then usually plated on top with rhodium to give a bright white appearance. Because of this, white gold usually requires its whiteness to be maintained by trips to your jeweler to have the rhodium plating reapplied.

L - Platinum and diamond engagement ring by Kirk Kara. R - Ladies platinum and diamond band by Tacori

When it comes to the finish of your ring, you should know that all metals scratch over time. Should you decide that you’d like to maintain a shiny finish on your platinum ring, a quick polishing will keep it bright. In many cultures however, these small nicks and scratches (known as patina) are looked upon as the recording of moments in life and viewed as too valuable to polish away.

There are many “high maintenance” things in life that we must decide are worth putting up with, or unfortunately must put up with and have no choice. Jewelry should be something that one can wear and enjoy without constant maintenance, especially when worn daily. To learn more about caring for platinum jewelry and to see styles at a variety of price points, visit: www.preciousplatinum.com/designgallery.

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What steps have you taken to care for jewelery in the past? Will you take added precaution when it comes to the engagement ring and wedding bands? Let us know in the comments section!

disclosure: platinum guild international is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

Tacori platinum engagement ring with round solitaire center diamond

By Jewelery & Style Expert, Michael O’Connor

When it comes to buying an engagement ring, almost every guy is faced with the same issues. How is he going to find an engagement ring she will love, keep it a surprise until he pops the question and how can he buy the highest quality ring that she’ll love without breaking the bank. Well there are a few things that should be of comfort to every guy as he begins this quest. First, if you’re a good listener, you’ve already been picking up her clues so that you can make the correct style choice. Secondly, it’s not impossible to get the ring of her dreams and still be able to buy her dinner afterward.

Make no mistake about it. Women hint! Even before being asked the big question the majority of women have already begun to research the engagement ring and thanks to websites, retailers and jewelry brands they are armed with the advice and tools to make their hints heard. From wish list emails to iPhone apps to clever tricks like leaving magazines open on engagement ring pages, women know how to go about this task. In fact, according to a BRIDES Magazine 2011 study, 2 in 3 women say they gave direct input to the guy on their engagement ring and 19% even admit to personally selecting it. So if the guy listens and is sensitive to the hints he should be able to get the clues loud and clear, therefore allowing him to surprise her with the perfect ring of her dreams!

L - Hearts on Fire platinum engagement ring. R - Simon G. Jewelry platinum engagement ring with round solitaire center diamond

Here are some additional facts to help guys know what’s the most desired as he puts the clues together.  Today, most women want their setting to be white in color. Platinum is the best setting since, unlike white gold, which is naturally a yellow color, platinum is naturally white and will never fade or tarnish and will maximize the brilliance of the center stone. Platinum’s superior durability also makes it the best for holding a diamond securely during daily wear. That’s why the most important diamonds in the world are set into platinum.  Most women still prefer the classic round “brilliant-cut” diamond with a growing number starting to lean toward square “princess-cut” shapes. Whichever her choice, “Color” (one of the 4 C’s) will be important which is another great reason to choose platinum’s natural whiteness for the setting. The classic platinum and diamond “solitaire” (containing only one center diamond) is still the most popular style choice. Additionally, according to research, most women say that they would prefer a smaller, higher quality diamond instead of a larger diamond of lesser quality. Finally, and very importantly (and probably pleasantly surprising) for guys, a high quality platinum and diamond engagement ring starts at only about $1,000 so he doesn’t have to spend his entire savings to get quality. Websites like www.preciousplatinum.com/designgallery can help find a local retailer, educate guys on the importance of a quality setting, and showcase a wide variety of styles from a number of designers to ensure that he finds the ring of her dreams.

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platinum guild international is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

Has your significant other been dropping hints about the style of engagement ring she wants? Have you researched platinum bands and settings? Tell us where you stand in the purchasing process in the comments section below.

By Jewelry & Style Expert, Michael O’Connor

“As good as gold”, what’s better? Since childhood we’ve known that “as good as gold” indicated the highest level. But were we naïve? When we got older and wanted to show the highest level of financial responsibility, we didn’t want to settle for a mere “gold card”.  By then we learned there was something even better! There was something much more rare, something that showed a purity in our credit rating and showed our persistence and endurance as shoppers and diligent bill payers. We aspired, of course, to a “platinum card”.

This analogy isn’t entirely metaphoric, however, and actually becomes quite relevant as you search for the perfect engagement ring or wedding bands. Here’s why.

L - Platinum and diamond engagement ring by Hearts on Fire R - Platinum and diamond engagement ring and wedding band by Michael M.

Every metal has characteristics that make it “right” for usage in particular items. Titanium for eye-glasses, because it’s lightweight; aluminum for patio furniture, because it can brave the elements but be light enough to move around the pool; and surgical steel for operations, because it’s hypoallergenic. When it comes to jewelry, however, we primarily look to what’s known as “noble metals” (metals that are rare and resistant to corrosion) as being most suitable. Even within this “noble” category however, there are characteristics that make metals just “right”. Let’s take two of the most frequently used metals for engagement rings and wedding bands – platinum and gold. Both are noble, rare and precious, however when used for engagement rings and wedding bands, one metal shows superiority. The superiority has to do with what you need those pieces of jewelry to do.

Men’s platinum wedding band by Gelin Abaci

Engagement rings and wedding bands are exchanged to signify the highest level of relationship – marriage. Therefore, they should be made from something that’s precious, rare and pure. In the hierarchy of metals platinum is more precious and thirty times more rare than gold. Platinum jewelry is usually made of 90-95% pure platinum, while gold at 18K is 75% pure gold and 14K is only 58.5% pure gold. Therefore, from a significance standpoint this makes platinum the more appropriate choice.

Further, engagement rings and wedding bands are given with the expectation that they will be worn every day for life. Therefore, they need to be made from something that will never fade or tarnish, something durable enough to stand up to a lifetime of daily wear, something that is hypoallergenic, and in most cases, something that can hold a precious diamonds or gemstones securely for life.  Again, platinum proves to be most appropriate. Platinum is naturally white and will remain white over time, unlike white gold which is originally yellow but mixed with other metals, then plated over the top to look white. Over time, the white plating on gold will wear, revealing a “less white” color underneath. Platinum will not only stand up better to daily wear but gems held in a platinum setting are more secure because it is virtually indestructible. Finally, because platinum is usually 90-95% pure it will always be hypoallergenic.

Now that we’ve looked at the differences isn’t it time we updated our language to reflect our new knowledge? Let’s replace that old saying with something better. “As good as gold” should really be “perfectly platinum”.
www.preciousplatinum.com/designgallery

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platinum guild international is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

Have you begun your engagement ring search? Did this blog post change your thinking on gold vs. platinum? Tell us your story in the comments section below.

Before you purchase platinum jewelery, study up on the best ways to buy

By Celebrity Stylist, Michael O’Connor

By early adulthood everyone should realize the realities of retail. According to Wikipedia: “Retail consists of the sale of goods or merchandise from a fixed location,…for direct consumption by the purchaser.” Retail stores are “for-profit” businesses that purchase products at one price, then, sell them to the consumer at a higher price that yields them a profit. This involves adding a markup amount (or percentage) to the retailer’s cost.”  By the nature of retail, each store carries an inventory of products that is in their best interest to sell to consumers in order to make profit and remain in business. This became resoundingly clear to me on a recent shopping trip when I attempted to buy jewelry as a gift for my sister.

Left - Simon G: Platinum and diamond band by Simon G. Jewelry, $1,870, Right - Whiteflash: Platinum and diamond heart pendant by Whiteflash.com, $710

When marking a special occasion with jewelry, it’s only natural to want to buy “the best”. Nobody approaches this quest wishing to buy “what’s adequate”. I wanted a quality piece to reflect the importance of our relationship, something that could be worn for a lifetime and something precious that provided long-term value.  I did homework on sites like PreciousPlatinum.com and decided on platinum and diamond stud earrings. It was only when I went to my local jewelry store to purchase them that I learned when shopping for platinum there are many myths and misconceptions.

First, I found that if the jewelry store didn’t carry platinum in his inventory he was very anxious that I didn’t go elsewhere to get it. The sales associate made a number of claims to justify platinum’s absence, such as, “Platinum is too expensive” and “it’s too soft”.  Having done research, I was able to reply that I had already seen platinum pieces from approximately $1,000. I asked the sales associate why most of the world’s most important gems were set into platinum. Gems like that wouldn’t be put into soft settings that didn’t hold them securely forever. The associate told me that because white gold was plated with rhodium that the diamond would sparkle just the same as platinum. Again, I knew that white gold was in fact, yellow gold, made to look white my mixing the natural yellow metal with whiter ones to disguise the color. It is then plated with rhodium in order to make it look whiter. So he was partially right, except for the fact that he wasn’t telling me that over time and regular wear, the rhodium would wear off, exposing the less white color underneath. I told him that I knew that platinum was a naturally white metal that didn’t need to be plated – ever- in order to enhance its whiteness. It was then that the associate tried to reason with me. He asked, “Why get platinum when you can get the same look with gold?” My answer was simple and direct. “Because I want this gift to be worn and cherished for a lifetime, something she can wear everyday and only the best is good enough.” The question really is, why wouldn’t I want platinum?

Stuller: Platinum and diamond stud earrings by Stuller, $810

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platinum guild international is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

Which engagement rings will be hot in 2011?

By Jewelry & Style Expert, Michael O’Connor

In pushing the fashion envelope forward, clothing designers sometimes help us look back and remember fun times and gentler eras.  Such is the case with this season fashion runways, which provided us with a retro revisiting of the classic elegance of the 50’s and early 60’s as well as the swinging spirited side of the late 60’s and 70’s.  And while fashion designers have set the directional frame, bridal jewelry designers are also taking notice, and creating fresh interpretations of these trends. Here’s a look at the top 3 engagement ring trends for this coming year:

1- Inspired by the hit television show Mad Men, classic dressing and classic engagement ring styles are back! Remember the timelessness of celebrities like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor. Think the sophisticated elegance of a polished platinum setting with a solitaire diamond, or a vintage-inspired style with filigree.

Investing in classic styles is not only a wise choice from a wear-ability standpoint, since they will never go out of fashion, but the investment in a platinum engagement ring means that the ring you purchase today will last for a lifetime and ready to hand down to future generations.

L - Platinum engagement ring from Kirk Kara showcasing the floral motif R - Platinum engagement ring from CliQ Jewelry showcasing a classic diamond solitaire

2- Additionally, we’re seeing more colorful fabrics with exaggerated movement and ruffle detailing. This will translate into engagement ring designs by incorporating colored gemstones such as citrine, sapphire, and ruby, set into platinum. Since platinum is a naturally white metal, it will maximize the brilliance of all colored gemstones.

3- This year we’ll also see engagement rings with a variety of floral motifs inspired by the 70’s. Whether this design surrounds the center diamond, or it’s part of the band, much of this intricate detailing can only be accomplished in platinum.

When it comes to today’s consumer, value is one of the most motivating factors in deciding to purchase fine jewelry according to a recent study by W magazine. Today’s platinum jewelry designers are providing the versatility of design in pieces that are classic, colorful, and design oriented to work with any era, while platinum itself is providing the long term value that allows you to enjoy your favored pieces daily and still hand them down to future generations.

L - Platinum engagement ring from Art Carved showcasing a vintage inspired design R - Platinum and blue sapphire engagement ring from Beladora.com

For more information on engagement ring styles to fit your budget, visit www.preciousplatinum.com/designgallery.

What are your thoughts on 2011′s hot engagement ring styles? Tell us what you like (and don’t like) in the comments section below.

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platinum guild international is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog