In response to an more open, flamboyant outlook following the First World War, vast sums of money were spent of fashionable accessories, including significant pieces of jewellery. Women wanted their jewellery to match their mood, and some of the greatest names in jewellery responded to this need. Cartier, Boucheron, Van Cleef and Arpels and others all designed some the most stunning platinum jewellery ever created. These advances were slowed by the Depression of the 1930 s and were stopped abruptly by World War II, when the U.S. government declared platinum a strategic metal and banned its use in all non-military applications, including jewellery. This led to the emergence of white gold to satisfy consumer demand for platinum s pure white luster.
Platinum is strong.
Platinum is one of the heaviest metals in the world. With diamond settings, platinum prongs show little wear even after years of use. Platinum is pure. Platinum is also hypoallergenic and resists tarnish. Platinum is rare.