#1 Platinum Earring Buyer in Las Vegas & Henderson

History

Etymology

Developing from the Spanish word platina, meaning little silver, platinum is as common as gold and other metal types when it comes to many uses they have served throughout history.

Ancient Egypt

Archaeologists have uncovered ancient Egyptian tombs forged from gold in 1200 BC, and in the gold are traces of platinum. Specifically, in the tomb of Shepenupet II, there is a small box decorated with gold hieroglyphics, which has some platinum too. However, it is still uncertain that ancient Egyptians knew that there was platinum in the gold they used to forge objects.

Pre-Columbian South America

When Christopher Columbus first set foot on the New World, the natives living near the modern-day Esmeraldas, Ecuador, had already been producing artifacts of a white gold-platinum alloy, because of which they are known for discovering platinum. Moreover, the tradition of the platinum smith in pre-Columbian South America is attributed to the culture of La Tolita. However, the precise date and location prove difficult to provide because of platinum artifacts from the area, most of which were obtained through trade, not dug in archaeological sites.

European Discovery

Owing to the many Europeans that ventured into the New World, much was learned about platinum and was enriched by their encounters with the natives of South America. For the Spanish, platinum was some kind of impurity in gold that was disposed of. What ensued was an official decree prohibiting gold and platinum from being mixed to create an alloy.

In 1557, platinum was described for the first time in a published text written by Julius Caesar Scaligern, an Italian humanist. He remarked that platinum was dug in mines between Panama and Mexico and could be melted by neither fire nor Spanish arts.

In 1748, the first laboratory specializing in mineralogy was put up by Antonio de Ulloa after returning from his expedition in Colombia and Peru, where he took some platinum nuggets. Thus, de Ulloa became the first to have systematically studied platinum. According to the account de Ulloa wrote during his expedition, platinum can be neither separable nor calcinable.

In 1783, Francois Chabaneau, a French chemist, found a way to produce malleable platinum, which was patented, but the quality of the metal produced in every batch was inconsistent.

In the early 1800s, pure platinum became possible based on a commercial process that an English chemist William H. Wallaston developed. Moreover, it was Wallaston who discovered other members of PGMs (i.e., palladium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, and ruthenium), which rendered Chabaneau’s research quite frustrating.

What Is Platinum?

Platinum is a silvery-whitish, non-toxic metal that is pliant and malleable, with a lustrous, glistening sheen. It is valuable, soft, and has a melting point of 1786°C. It is commonly categorized with five other platinum group metals because of their closely related properties, and appearance in the similar mineral ores. These are palladium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, and ruthenium.

Hallmarks

Platinum is often mixed with other alloy metals such as copper, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and titanium to make it more malleable because of its durability and hardness.

As gold purity is measured based on karats, platinum’s, hallmarks indicated by a combination of letters and parts-per-thousand numbers etched on a jewelry piece (e.g., 900PLT, 900PLAT, or 900PLATINUM).

Measured in 1,000 parts, platinum purity used in jewelry has a higher purity than other metals like gold and silver. Meaning an 18-karat gold ring has the same purity as a platinum ring, which is about 1 / 1000th of a millimeter purity, or about 1,000 parts per million.

However, jewelers only need a small amount of platinum to be mixed with other metals to make it hard enough to use. Listed below are types of platinum-based on purity:

Jewelry with a 999PLAT mark has 99% pure platinum.
Jewelry with a 950LAT mark is 95% pure platinum mixed with 5% other metal alloys, cobalt, copper, iridium, palladium, or rhodium.
Jewelry with a 900PLAT mark is 90% pure platinum and 10% other metal alloys, normally, ruthenium or iridium.
Jewelry with an 850PLAT mark is 85% platinum, and the other 15% are other metal alloys.

Earrings

Historically worn by both men and women in Asia, in the West, however (including Egypt and Israel), they were only exclusively for women. In classic literature, men wearing earrings are usually depicted as an exclusively Middle Eastern trait. Body modification has been around for centuries, and ear piercings are one of the oldest known forms. Like other jewelry, earrings also come in a variety of different sizes, types, and styles as listed below:

Stud Earrings

Characteristically minimal, studs penetrate straight through the ear as it gives a floating appearance without a visible point of connection. It is usually a pointed metal, like a needle at one end, and some shape (round) on the other and is locked in place by a clutch called a butterfly scroll.

Hoop Earrings

These are oval or circular earrings that share a look with a ring. These are usually a hoop of metal that has an opening so it can pass through the piercing. They are often made of a metal tubing attached to a thin wire that penetrates the ear. The wire also serves as a lock when attached back to the tube. One variation of the hoop earring is called the continuous hoop earring, where it is made of a continuous piece of metal and can be rotated at almost 360 degrees when worn.

Dangle Earrings

Also known as drop earrings, these are designed to hang on the earlobe and are available in different lengths from one centimeter up to shoulder length ones. These are usually attached to the ear using a thin hook that penetrates the piercing. Designs of these earrings are endless, from simple ones with a single gemstone attached to the intricate ones with weaving metal patterns attached to multiple gemstones.

Barbell Earrings

As with its namesake, barbell earrings are usually a metal bar round shaped ends.

Overall, earrings are a great accessory for both men and women. Especially platinum earrings that bring a distinct shine and enhance one’s features.

We BUY Platinum Earrings

Do you have old platinum earrings you want out of your hands? We’ll be happy to take them from you and even pay you for it! Here at Nevada Coin Mart, we are the #1 buyer of platinum earrings, in Las Vegas, Henderson, and even the entire Nevada state!

We offer free in-store evaluation for your piece using a state-of-the-art Thermo Scientific Niton X-Ray Spectrometer in order to accurately analyze and measure precious metal contents in your piece. This will ensure that you get top-dollar for your items.

We are open 365 times a year, from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. Come visit us at Nevada Coin Mart® 4065 S. Jones Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89103 or call us up at 702-998-4000.