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Dazzling white metal
Snazzy ring
IF SOMEBODY asks about the origin of gold or platinum, you don't have to say the place it came from. All you have to say is that they have come from the stars.
The origin of platinum is every bit as storied and exotic as the metal itself.
This precious element forms during one of the rare and most violent events in the cosmos, the cataclysmic merger of two neutron stars. In the last few milliseconds before the merger, a great deal of nuclear alchemy occurs.
This unleashes so much energy that for a brief moment it outshines everything in the universe. Most energy quickly collapses into a black hole, but some spews out in a flood of super hot neutrons and atomic nuclei.
These nuclei rapidly mop up the stray neutrons forming lead, gold and platinum.
Exquisite designs
This occurs once every 100,000 years in a typical galaxy. Enough to account for the amount of precious metals on earth. According to the Ethiopian Investment Authority, platinum has been mined in Yubdo since time in memorial. It is also been a belief that platinum from Yubdo may have been a jewellery source for Egyptian Pharoanic kings.
In spite of this, the first documented evidence of platinum occurrence at Yubdo was reported by a Russian geologist, Kurmakove, in 1925. E.W.Molly (1934) first described on the geology of the deposit.
So that's about history. Platinum has now generated craze in the city also. Enthusiasts for this scintillating white metal are in large numbers.
"These pieces have been alluring to youngsters. These are preferred to be the best wedding gifts or a token of love," says V.Srinivasamurthi of Avathar Jewellers.
The platinum jewellery ranges from the comely necklace studded with stones or diamonds, charming bracelets, cute studs, sensational rings (in pairs also), irresistible bangles and many more. These have been brought to the city from places like Mumbai, but actually they are of South African origin.
Talking about the precious white metal Srinivasamurthi says: "As for the price of the metal, one gram is worth Rs 2,000, hence is much more costlier than the yellow metal. For extracting three grams of platinum, at least one tonne of the ore has to be processed. And for its characteristics, this metal is considered to be very strong and scratch free. The colour of the metal never fades," says Srinivasamurthi.
"The strength which is got in eight grams of gold will be available in six grams of platinum. It is resistant to oil and water and do not cause any kind of skin allergies. The stones, which are studded to these, seldom fall as the metal has a good grip. Purity wise, gold is supposed to be 91.6 per cent pure while platinum is 95 per cent. To make the jewellery look all the more attractive, 18K gold is also added."
The temperature that is required to melt the metal is 3216 degree Fahrenheit. The purity of every piece is certified in Switzerland.
Every guarantee card that is given has the model and the design number printed in order to avoid duplication.
"Similar to gold, platinum also has resale value. There isn't much of a fluctuation between the two metals. This fashionable jewellery isn't very much sought after by the oldies. The aged somehow still have affinity only towards the yellow metal."
Damaged platinum jewellery can only be repaired by the Platinum Guild International, which is authorised to do it.
The availability of platinum is 20 times rarer than that of gold. About 48 per cent of the production is used for the making of jewellery while the rest is used for industrial purposes.
By Vidyashree Dharmaraj
in Coimbatore
Photos: K.Ananthan
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