Men's Platinum Rings

The durability and longevity of platinum makes it ideally suited to a men’s platinum ring. For as striking as its designs may be, platinum’s history is equally compelling. Though platinum has been within the earth for millennia, documented traces of platinum in decorations can only be found as far back as 1200 B.C., appearing as adornment on ancient Egyptian objects.

Its presence was relatively subdued for several centuries following, with renewed interest in the metal occurring in the early 18th century. A full understanding of the metal was not achieved until late that century, but by that point its ascent into popularity was swift. In 1780, French King Louis XVI declared platinum as the only precious metal suitable for royalty, and in the closing years of the century it became essential in the establishment of a reliable metric system.

As its popularity spread, platinum was ushered into to jewelry design, achieving its peak popularity in the early 20th century. Jewelry designers of the Art Deco era appreciated its slick whiteness as a perfect compliment to their sleek, geometric designs, and it is for this quality that platinum rings are still treasured today.

Quick Facts

• When Spanish Conquistadors encountered metal nuggets of platinum while panning the rivers of New Granada in 1519, they thought they were simply underdeveloped pieces of gold
• Theophile Scheffer, a Swedish scientist, was the first to melt platinum in 1751. Taking into account the metals’ high melting point, he succeeded in liquefying the platinum by adding arsenic
• Fabergé’s first annual Easter egg of 1884 included a wind-up train fashioned from platinum and gold on its interior