Wedding Rings

platinum rings

Question:

I just got back from visiting several jewelry stores in my search for a platinum (or silver) wedding band for my fiance.  I didn’t find any silver (is silver a bad idea?) and the only platinum rings I found had yellow gold in them.  He wants a pure silver or pure platinum ring, no gold, not even white gold.  Has anyone found these?  Also, any jewelry store suggestions?  (I’m in San Diego till the weekend but I live in the SF bay area.) Thanks, Deborah

Response:

STERLING [99.999%] Silver Wedding Rings are available at Wal-mart. Wide range of quality and price. For a Platinuim ring try a Premuim jewler in your area, not a chain, or his wholesale source. Stafford’s U.S. Diamond and Gold sells them too, not my company, 937-436-2852. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I just got back from visiting several jewelry stores in my search > for a platinum (or silver) wedding band for my fiance.  I didn’t > find any silver (is silver a bad idea?) and the only platinum rings > I found had yellow gold in them.  He wants a pure silver or pure > platinum ring, no gold, not even white gold.  Has anyone found > these?  Also, any jewelry store suggestions?  (I’m in San Diego > till the weekend but I live in the SF bay area.) > Thanks, > Deborah

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Hey Deborah, I’m a big fan of platinum and my soon-to-be-fiancee and I have gone shopping in a couple of places (unfortunately on the opposite coast).  One manufacturer I’d recommend is Cristian Bauer, some german guy based in Germany that turns out some really elegant, plain platinum rings.  You could go to the public library and find the JKC (Jeweller’s Keystone Circular) yearly reference guide to find jeweler’s phone numbers… expect to pay a premium for good 950 platinum (95% plat, usually with other noble medals from the same group such as paladium, iridium, etc) as it’s slightly more expensive than gold and much harder to work with since it melts ~500 degrees hotter than gold (I’m guessing at this number).  The bonus is it reacts even less than gold, is harder, and IMHO is extremely beautiful. I would recommend against silver as it’s soft, will tarnish, and just doesn’t have the solid, warm feel of the heavier noble metals.  Also, I’m not sure you’ll find a jeweller who will spend as much time and care creating and polishing a silver ring that he’ll only make $50 on… I only recommend C. Bauer because I remember the name and I really liked his stuff, not because I’m on the staff or anything goofy like that. Check the JCK for other people who work with platinum rings, especially in your area.  I’d recommend hitting Chinatown SF for some jewellers or someplace else that might cater to Japanese nationals as platinum has become extremely popular in Asia, especially Japan for wedding rings. Good luck, Stefan Lucas  I just got back from visiting several jewelry stores in my search  for a platinum (or silver) wedding band for my fiance.  I didn’t  find any silver (is silver a bad idea?) and the only platinum rings  I found had yellow gold in them.  He wants a pure silver or pure  platinum ring, no gold, not even white gold.  Has anyone found  these?  Also, any jewelry store suggestions?  (I’m in San Diego  till the weekend but I live in the SF bay area.)  Thanks,  Deborah

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 manufacturer I’d recommend is Cristian Bauer, some german guy based in  Germany that turns out some really elegant, plain platinum rings.  You  ^^^^^^^ oops – my stupid redundancy I meant a german guy based in Florida… Stefan

Response:

> I just got back from visiting several jewelry stores in my search > for a platinum (or silver) wedding band for my fiance.  I didn’t > find any silver (is silver a bad idea?) and the only platinum rings > I found had yellow gold in them.  He wants a pure silver or pure > platinum ring, no gold, not even white gold.  Has anyone found > these?  Also, any jewelry store suggestions?  (I’m in San Diego > till the weekend but I live in the SF bay area.) > Thanks, > Deborah

Deb, We had problems finding his platinum band as well.  It seems that there are many goldsmiths, but so few jewelers are actually qualified to work with platinum as its metalurgical behavior is different from gold. I have three suggestions for you:  1) in the back of most bridal magazines there are these little booklets that are put out by the Platinum society or association, call and see if they can give you a recommendation for your area; 2) look for an antique jeweler, most of the rings around the 1920’s and 30’s were made in platinum and they are tremendously less expensive than purchasing a new one (That’s how he purchased my engagement ring); 3) Go to Neiman Marcus and ask about a designer JFA (Jean-Francois Albert), he is very chic (read:  really overpriced) but the ideas you get from his bands which are mainly platinum or 18K white gold can be translated into a design by a platinum specialist.  Good luck Sarah & (Kevin) 2/21/98

Response:

>I just got back from visiting several jewelry stores in my search >for a platinum (or silver) wedding band for my fiance.  I didn’t >find any silver (is silver a bad idea?) and the only platinum rings >I found had yellow gold in them.  He wants a pure silver or pure >platinum ring, no gold, not even white gold.  Has anyone found >these?  Also, any jewelry store suggestions?  (I’m in San Diego >till the weekend but I live in the SF bay area.) >Thanks, >Deborah

Well, my husband and I decided against silver, but if you want GREAT quality silver or gold wedding bands, call James Avery Jewelry for their catalog.  We got our gold bands from them and they are absolutely beautiful.  All of their bands come in either gold or silver and the prices aren’t bad either.  Ask for their "Christian" catalog.  The regular catalog has some but not all of them.  The 800 number is: 1-800-283-1770.  Good luck! Christi Brogan "Conjugal Creations" Wedding Designer San Antonio, Texas Ask me about NACEC!

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Silver is much nicer in colour (imho) than white gold, which has a gunmetal cast to it. Silver is much warmer in colour. I didn’t used to like gold, but I have grown fond of it now that my silver collection is so extensive. <g> I suggest that you LOOK at platinum and compare the colour to white gold and silver to see if that’s what you want. Silver, being the softest of the three (silver is harder than gold in pure form, but not harder than 14k alloy), will wear more quickly and you may have to replace your rings in 5-10 years. Gold will last a good 20 years for 14k (perhaps less for 18k) and platinum will last a lifetime. All depends on how hard you are on your rings and how thick they are. I will say, however, that I have some frequently-worn silver rings that are no longer round but have knocked out of shape. There is no such thing as pure anything. Silver is 92.5% pure and platinum either 75% or 95% (I don’t think there are other hallmark standards for platinum but I could be wrong on this point). 14k gold is 58.5%, 18k 75% gold. I have been corresponding with a jeweller I found on the web who works in platinum about my own projects, his email addr is: "Gene Davies" excellent. > I just got back from visiting several jewelry stores in my search > for a platinum (or silver) wedding band for my fiance.  I didn’t > find any silver (is silver a bad idea?) and the only platinum rings > I found had yellow gold in them.  He wants a pure silver or pure > platinum ring, no gold, not even white gold.  Has anyone found > these?  Also, any jewelry store suggestions?  (I’m in San Diego > till the weekend but I live in the SF bay area.) > Thanks, > Deborah

– http://www.sover.net/~deirdre

Response:

I’m getting Morgan a plain platinum band. We’ve seen them in several stores, both here in Seattle and in northern California. You need to go to a good jeweler, not your run-of-the-mill mall jeweler. Some stores may have regular suppliers of platinum bands but don’t always have them in stock because they’re not particularly popular. They would be able to order a ring for you. Nikki (and Morgan) 6-21-97 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I just got back from visiting several jewelry stores in my search > for a platinum (or silver) wedding band for my fiance.  I didn’t > find any silver (is silver a bad idea?) and the only platinum rings > I found had yellow gold in them.  He wants a pure silver or pure > platinum ring, no gold, not even white gold.  Has anyone found > these?  Also, any jewelry store suggestions?  (I’m in San Diego > till the weekend but I live in the SF bay area.) > Thanks, > Deborah

Response:

I bought a platinum/diamond/sapphire engagement ring for my fiancee and we both absolutely love it (made by Associate Jewelers in Oregon, http://www.tradeshop.com ). Platinum is classy, beautiful, relatively unusual, and more durable and stronger than gold or silver. It’s an excellent choice for wedding jewelry, although it is a bit more expensive. Any reputable jewelry store should be able to supply you with platinum rings. One point to mention is that when resizing platinum rings, be CERTAIN the jeweler is using platinum solder. I’m having my wedding band made from platinum. It’s just cool. -Brian (and Shelly) March 97

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Response:

Deborah writes |I just got back from visiting several jewelry stores in my search |for a platinum (or silver) wedding band for my fiance.  I didn’t |find any silver (is silver a bad idea?) and the only platinum rings |I found had yellow gold in them.  He wants a pure silver or pure |platinum ring, no gold, not even white gold.  Has anyone found |these?   As others have pointed out, platinum was very popular during the earlier parts   of this century, so estate jewelry stores might be your best bet.  Here in   Seattle we have Turgeon Raines; I don’t know if they have stores elsewhere.   You might even try local pawn shops — but be warned, they can be *very*   depressing.  I went to a pawn shop in Tahoe and, although they had good prices   on everything and some really nice rings, it made me sad to see that so many   symbols of undying affection had ended up in such a place, sold cheaply because   the sentiment had gone out of them.  It might not be such a wonderful place to   be when you’re trying to plan your own marriage. I’m not an expert in metals, but most of the older silver jewelry pieces I have   (a crucifix from my paternal grandmother; a watch from my maternal   great-grandmother) do show scratches and must be cleaned often to be kept free   of tarnish.  However, the price of silver reflects this and silver bands are a   fraction of the cost of platinum. One groom on this group posted a pitch for the Associate Jewelers   Incorporated’s Tradeshop a while back: http://www.tradeshop.com/master/platinum.html They do custom jewelry work and will create exactly what you want from your   sketch or photograph, competitively priced.  The samples they have on their   page are really exquisite, and they have some sound buying advice whether you   decide to go with them or not.   –KR

Response:

The original poster, Deborah, was located in the San Francisco Bay Area.  I replied to her originally with a suggestion about a local wholesale jewelry mart, but forgot about a SUPER estate jeweler here in SF. They’re called Old & New Estates, and they’re on Union St. — 2181. Phone is (415) 346-7525.  They had seval platinum sets when I was there in August, and some gorgeous platinum/diamond and platinum/diamond/ sapphire engagement rings.  Somewhat pricy, but everything is GIA certified and appraised, very professional. Very nice people, too!  Hope this helps, Sandi

Response:

> They’re called Old & New Estates, and they’re on Union St. — 2181. > Phone is (415) 346-7525.  They had seval platinum sets when I was > there in August, and some gorgeous platinum/diamond and platinum/diamond/ > sapphire engagement rings.  Somewhat pricy, but everything is GIA > certified and appraised, very professional. > Very nice people, too!  Hope this helps,

There are two more GREAT estate jewelers in SF that I’d recommend. Lang’s is on Sutter St across from the Sutter/Stockton garage (where my husband bought my bee-yu-ti-ful 1930’s ruby/diamond/platinum engagement ring) and Lydia’s is on Geary (I think!) We ordered plain platinum wedding bands from Harold’s Jewelery on Main St. in Los Altos. He does mostly custom design work AND he was very fast! Good luck! Michaele

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Deb- Try Tiffanys (as in Breakfast at Tiffanys) in San Francisco.  That is where I am getting my platinum wedding band in LA.  My 3mm band will cost $650.  Silver is a bad choice because it is too soft a metal and will not stand the test of time. Carolyn

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Deborah, I wouldn’t buy silver as a wedding band – just doesn’t seem classy enough.  I just bought my own ring – didn’t buy platinum, but considered it.  Be ready to spend some bucks if you want to buy platinum.  From what I saw, men’s platinum rings (around 6 – 7 mm) start at about $1,000, compared to maybe $150 for something comparable in gold.  My favorite platinum ring I saw was $1600, and this just had metal, no stones or anything. Dennis Evans

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My fiancee and I just purchased our platinum bands from Wedding Ring Originals in NYC. I highly recommend them. We looked for a jeweler who carried in platinum rings for about six months until we found this one. Their prices are very good and the quality is outstanding. I don’t have the number handy, but if you called information in the 212 area code they will have it. Good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I just got back from visiting several jewelry stores in my search > for a platinum (or silver) wedding band for my fiance.  I didn’t > find any silver (is silver a bad idea?) and the only platinum rings > I found had yellow gold in them.  He wants a pure silver or pure > platinum ring, no gold, not even white gold.  Has anyone found > these?  Also, any jewelry store suggestions?  (I’m in San Diego > till the weekend but I live in the SF bay area.) > Thanks, > Deborah

Response:

Hi, I just did a search and Wedding Ring Originals are on the web!  Here’s the info: 691 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022 800-522-1175 or in NYS: 212-751-3940 http://www.weddingrings.com Monica 3-22-97

Response:

Hi Deborah, Since you live in the SF bay area which is where we live also, I would highly recommend the jewelry store called "Topper" for your search of a platinum ring.  I recently got married (Nov 26) and we had our wedding bands from this store.  Our wedding bands are made of platinum exclusively to match my engagement ring which is also made of platinum.  The store is located in downtown Burlingame (which is just a bit south of San Francisco).  If you call up the directory assistant for area code 415, I am sure they can help you with the store’s phone number.  We are also very pleased with the work of this jewel store. Hope this helps.

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>> I wouldn’t buy silver as a wedding band – just doesn’t seem classy > enough. >"Doesn’t seem classy enough"? I wonder, does "class" always require higher cost? >Hmm, I have to say that "class" has nothing to do with how expensive one’s >rings are. Class comes from an entirely different source.

Hmm I mist the original msg. ( just stumbling in here tonight) Maybe this experience will help: I don’t like gold.(can’t help it) About a yaer and a half ago, my gorlfirned and I promised to take care of each other and her kids (of a previous marriage) to seal this, we decided to buy ‘friend’ rings. I was pretty confidend about some titanium rings (light green with some tiny golden stripe). And luckiliy she was as happy with it as I. After measuring the size the salesman asked what date the wedding was. I haven’t seen her more happy, as she didn’t notice it we’re wedding rings! Any way we decided to have no dates. Luckily, I asked her last night and she said yes. date is set ond aug. 22th ‘97 With Titanium rings !

Response:

Alrighty then Just wanted to make a comment here, "about class/platinum costing more"… It doesn’t cost as much as you might think…  For example, most catalogs run out a three hundred percent markup, so it’s really the markup which is the bulk of the price on any ring…  Take the beautiful Stuller collection of platinum mountings I just installed in my web pages, we simply cut the price in half… Custom manufacturing in platinum costs more than gold by a far way, but for example I have a platinum page of custom manufacturing shown, with prices for most very elaborate manufacturing coming in mostly well under the retail costs of a plain comfort-fit band ring…  Platinum is a cool metal, and when trimmed with 18Kt can be really killer modern too…   Moral??? Shop around, compare prices particularly on platinum items, they are being sort of premium priced these days but really are quite cost effective if you press… Check out yer browser/search engines too for platinum, there are many good selections of both custom and standard  fine commercial alternatives at often half the retail prices you’re seeing…  Knowledge is power, be more powerful. Ray      _|/_  "Knowledge is power, be more powerful"      (o o) Associate Jewelers Incorporated  * Est. 1975 * Design & Manufacturing  Certified Diamonds * Union Benchworkers * Fine Custom Manufacturing  http://www.tradeshop.com/       "The Fine Jewelry Web Domain/Site"

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