Discovering Platinum: The History
Platinum: a metal to be rediscovered, a precious, stainless, resistant, rare and brilliant metal. Today, in this first stage of the discovery of platinum, let's discover 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. In fact, it is 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
Platinum is a story of conquest, exploration and adventure that dates back billions of years.
Fragments of platinum have been found in some meteorites and this metal, throughout history, has disappeared and reappeared over and over again, fascinating all those who found traces of it.
Many were the peoples who appreciated it: the ancient Egyptians , the pre-Columbian civilizations, the Spanish conquistadors and, later, kings and alchemists. From ancient times until 1700 as an alternative to silver and, then, as the precious metal most loved by experts: the history of platinum is long and exciting.
The beginning of everything
Over two billion years ago, even before the age of dinosaurs, when only bacteria and a few other forms of life 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 in all respects a metal that is born in 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 jewels. The most beautiful ornaments of the time saw the union of gold and platinum, the two most precious metals. Suffice it to say that the daughter of King Thebes, Shepenupet, was buried in a sarcophagus decorated in gold and platinum. In her tomb, a small chest made of the same material was also placed.
South America and ancient charm
A few centuries later, the civilizations of South America also used platinum to create, together with gold, accessories and jewels used in the most important ceremonies. From this moment in history, platinum disappears, to return, in all its splendor, two millennia later.
Conquering the new world
At the end of the 1500s, Spain expanded its horizons thanks to the adventures of the conquistadors. Platinum was discovered by them in the vast territories of Latin America. ''Platina'', it was called. Little silver. A material of little importance, almost to be discarded, as if it had no value. It can be said that its name originated from a human error!
Platinum, for these gold-hungry men, seemed like a metal of little value, to be thrown into the rivers of Ecuador and forgotten. If only they had known what wealth they had in their hands!
Platinum is destined to disappear from the history books for a few more years...
The return to the European courts
1700, new century, new powers. Europe and its alchemists finally begin to appreciate this unusual material, with shocking chemical properties. Platinum, imported from the Americas, is used in potions and concoctions, in the belief that it can transform materials such as lead into gold.
Fortunately, in 1751, the first scientific recognition by the 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 goldsmith to forge for him as many objects as possible in this new and amazing material.
From the Courts to Cartier
In the 1800s, platinum dictated fashion in Europe and Russia: kings, queens, princesses, tsars and mahrajas loved to dress in 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 jewelry collections entirely in platinum. This malleable metal, perfect for the creation of jewelry and accessories, in fact, helped to enhance the light and brilliance of the diamonds that were 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 of immense value. So precious that its history continues today, even at Ferro Gioielli ...
But we still have a lot to discover about this metal! If you are curious to discover its composition, its peculiarities and how to find it also at Ferro Gioielli, keep following us!
