Any jewellers or precious metal experts on here?

Me an' the wife want to get special rings made for our wedding (only six months late so far!) out of platinum. Gold, white gold and silver are out. Problem is, it is a design similar to (but not the same as) "Greek key" style - she's Mongolian, and it's a Buddhist pattern. So it's quite intricate.

In central London we were quoted up to a thousand pounds EACH to make such a ring, and even then it would be a casting from the gold one I currently have, apparently not as good as a hand-made one. But platinum is supposed to be hell to work with, hence the cost.

I'm now in Portugal, where there are plenty of goldsmiths who will work at an hourly rate of a quarter of those in London. But I need platinumsmiths, as it were. Can anyone recommend where is the centre of platinum-working, say in Europe, where I could get a more competitive quote, and probably save myself the price of an air ticket? Am also going to Thailand in Dec - again, doubtless cheap goldwork, but not sure if they work in platinum.

Thanks in advance

Brendan

 

Why does it have to be platinum? It is extremely difficult to tell the difference (visually) between platinum and 18ct white gold.

 

I would have thought the answer to that was easy.

They want special rings for themselves, not to impress friends and passers by. As such it will make a big difference to them if its not platinum.

 

AFAIK the difference is that white gold normally has a Rhodium coating which wears off after a while and needs to be recoated if you want the ring to continue to look good. Platinum doesn't need this coating.

Or so I've been told?

 

http://www.24carat.co.uk/platinum.html

I bought a platinum engagement ring from this company last year. His premises are in Blackpool and are a bit of a dive but the quality of his work is excellent and great value when compared to the highstreet. The stuff he sells is all low-volume and made to his own designs so he 'may' be able to help. He's a bit of a 'character' but don't be put off he's nice enough and I found him to be a gent.

No affiliation etc etc... just well pleased customer

 

Originally posted by The_Gza:That sounds sensible. I never could work out what made 18ct white gold that colour -- if 75% of the alloy is gold what's the rest of it that gets rid of the colour?

 

How long has she been a Mongolian?

 

Thanks folks.

Platinum not white gold, as indeed we've been informed that the coating wears off after a few (3-5) years.

Reffro, interesting comment - a friend of mine said his wife had a platinum ring, and he didn't see the point, as it wasn't obvious that it was platinum. I certainly subscribe to the view that it's for me and not for advertising my wealth to the world at large! Some people are so vain...

Alpine, thanks - you're right, hell of a drive for me in particular

Rik - er, all her life, why? Met while I was working in Ulaanbaatar. As you do.

I'll have a look at Alpine's site, otherwise anyone got any ideas for further afield?

Thanks again

Brendan

 

me and mrs tiggs have platinum wedding rings we got from tiffanys on 5th NY, evey one says- ohhh, a silver ring!

however, WE know its not and thats what counts!

Tiggs

 

We went platinum as well, wears much better than silver gold...

Simon.

 

Though to carry on this subject I have a request of my own, does anyone know where I can get a ring made of Titanium? I once saw one years ago in Amsterdam but haven't seen anything similar since.

 

You're right -- it does wear much better. However, if your wife has got an engagement ring made of something else (or other rings on the same or adjacent fingers to the wedding ring) then it will knacker them. For the same reason if you have a 9ct engagement ring you should get a 9ct wedding ring (9ct is harder than 18ct because there's less gold in it).

[Edited by carl - 4/23/2002 3:29:54 PM]

 

Remember you wil ahve to get white gold re-plated every 6 moths or so......the jewellers usually do it for free, but its a pain in the ar$e!

 

AYe, I have a white gold ring that needs serious looking after at the moment

My engagement ring is platinum.
I wanted platinum because it is unusual to have (becoming more popular though) I like the metal and it is my star sign's metal too

I would like a wedding ring in platinum, so can you email me any details you find out on cost etc to michelle@littlemisswrx.com

Many thanks

Michelle.

 

My and the Wife have platinum rings as well!

Should we start a club?

It is also a good time too buy platinum rings now as the price has dropped a bit from last year! Typical Eh!

Ali

 

Platinum - no originality - platinum is sooooo out !!

get one made from tin, cheap and unusual !!!

 

reffro titanium?
going to get one of these meself for my wedding
http://www.titaniumera.com/index.html
http://www.titanium-rings.com/titani...llectionfs.htm

[Edited by care3 - 4/24/2002 4:07:27 PM]

 

Thank you care3.

I'll have a shuftie at all the designs and see what's what.

Reffro

 

Not so sure Ti is a good idea -- doesn't it oxidize rather too easily? I infer this from the fact that Ti has to be extracted from the oxide whereas other precious metals (gold, silver, platinum) are found in the ground in their raw state.