All About Platinum

Are you someone who is a fan of white metal, but are unsure of which metal to go with? We are here to help! At Bario Neal, all of our jewelry is crafted to order and customizable to be made with the sustainable metals and gemstones that are right for you. For white metals, we offer sterling silver, white gold, and platinum, and with all of these choices at your fingertips, we know it can be hard choose the ideal material for your lifestyle. Let's dive into what makes platinum so special and why you should consider adding it to your jewelry box.

What Is Platinum?

Platinum is a very rare white colored precious metal with only a few hundred metric tons found in a year. Its deposits are often found in places like modern day Columbia, Canada, Russia, and South Africa, but is actually more abundant on the moon! The metal is also incredibly hard compared to others like silver or gold, and scientists were surprised to find that it is also very malleable. When initially used as a material, it was often combined with gold to make a softer compound that could be shaped with tools, but with the advancement of tools and machinery platinum is now used in higher purity.

Things to Consider When Shopping Platinum Jewelry

Whether you're browsing engagement rings or treating yourself to a new sparkly treasure, when shopping for jewelry, it's important to choose the settings, gemstones, and metals that best suit your lifestyle to ensure the longevity of the piece. Although silver, white gold, and platinum may look similar on the surface, their price and wear can be quite different. Let's talk about what to keep in mind when weighing white metal options.

• Platinum's chemical makeup allows for the metal to be non-reactive with oxygen which means it is very resistant to tarnishing (discoloration) and corrosion, unlike silver.
• It is considered a hypoallergenic, making a great option for those with sensitive skin. Gold plating can contain alloys which sometimes irritate the skin.
• Platinum is very durable, making it resistant to cracking or breaking, however it is not indestructible and is prone to scratching and will scratch a little easier than 14k gold. It is important to note that when platinum is scratched, the platinum only gets moved from one place on the ring to another and can be polished back to its original luster without the loss of metal.
• Platinum is historically more expensive than gold because of its rarity, but with the price of gold continuing to increase, it's a great time to purchase platinum.
• This metal is more colorfast than other options like white gold, which yellows overtime, where platinum will remain white.
• Platinum is more dense than silver or gold, which results in heavier feeling jewelry.

Bario Neal's Platinum

At Bario Neal, we pride ourselves on having fully traceable and ethically sourced materials, from gemstones to metals. This means that gemstones and metals are procured without harming people, their communities, or the environment. We believe miners, gemstone polishers, and everyone along the supply chain should be paid fairly and have safe working conditions. Working with recycled precious metals is an important part of our process at Bario Neal.

One hundred percent recycled precious metals are the best option currently available, as they reduce waste and don't require additional mining, which is a factor for many clients concerned about what extractive industries do to the environment. Large-scale mining can lead to a detrimental clearing of forests and stripping the soil of nutrients. There is no difference in quality between recycled metals and metals mined last week. In fact, you probably already have jewelry containing at least some recycled metals due to the fact that gold is melted down in such large batches. Recycled metals were one of the first responsibly sourced materials that Bario Neal worked with. We source from carefully vetted refineries that prioritize environmentally sustainable practices. Recycled metals don’t mean zero impact, of course, because refineries do need energy to operate. However, Bario Neal’s partners are very conscious of their carbon footprint and environmental impact. 

“The traditional linear production model is 'take, make, waste,' but right now in sustainable design, circularity is the goal. We’re moving toward 'take, make, remake,' instead,” Anna says of the jewelry industry’s chance to lead positive environmental and social impacts. “Even if you are extracting metals from the earth, and can’t avoid the effects of that, you can choose to make something with it that never becomes trash.”
– Anna Bario, Co-Founder & Lead Designer

Jewelry is incredibly personal, and the materials you choose are an extension of that. Your lifestyle, comfort, and the things that spark joy all play a role in creating your treasured adornments and future heirlooms, which is why all of our products are fully customizable. Although platinum is a great option, you can rest assured knowing that all of our precious metals at Bario Neal are recycled or fairmined. Our fantastic team is available for appointments to answer your questions and help craft the jewelry of your dreams at both our Philadelphia + Brooklyn locations, as well as virtually. No matter your selection, you will receive an ethically and thoughtfully made piece of jewelry to hold dear.