Platinum rings in the B.C. era:
In 1200 B.C. the Egyptians began to import gold, with traces of platinum, from the Nubian Kingdom. The Egyptians found this mix so beautiful and beguiling that they made stunning platinum rings and jewelry from it. The High Priestess Shepenupet, daughter of the King of Thebes, loved platinum so much that upon her death, in 700 B.C., she was buried in a sarcophagus adorned with platinum hieroglyphics, as well as a platinum document casket, and, of course, her jewelry, which included several platinum rings. At about 100 B.C. pre-Inca, South American civilizations started making use of platinum for ceremonial jewelry, like platinum rings for their noses. As an indicator of power and influence these platinum rings were in high demand. For some reason, after these instances, platinum’s story was put on hold for nearly two thousand years. It would briefly start up again when Europe discovered the new world.

Platinum rings in the common era:
In 1590 A.D. Spanish conquistadors in the new world rediscover platinum. But these men misjudged the value of platinum, giving it the name "platina", meaning "little silver". These conquistadors, hungry for gold, had no use for what they saw as an inferior metal, and threw it back into the rivers from where it came. In the 18th century platinum arrived in Europe, and was soon a highly valued material for alchemists. These crazy inventors believed that the chemical qualities of platinum would help them turn lead into gold. Little did they know that, in their tireless search for gold, they were destroying a far more precious metal in platinum.
In 1751 the Swedish scientist Theophil Scheffer finally recognized platinum for what it was, and named it a precious metal. Soon after that platinum became a favorite of royalty. In the 1780s the jeweler Marc Etienne Janetycreated several platinum pieces for King Louis XVI of France, including an ornate sugar bowl, and several platinum rings.
In 1788 King Carlos III of Spain, a platinum ring enthusiast, commissioned the artist Fanciso Alonso to create a spectacular platinum chalice, which he gave to Pope Pius VI. The chalice was 4 1/2 pounds and 12 inches tall. A comparable piece would be worth roughly $75,000 today.
In 1795 France became the first country to adopt the metric system. King Louis XVI asked Marc Etienne Janity to create the kilogram weight standard from platinum. Platinum was chosen because its durability meant that it would not corrupt the standard by scratching or wearing away. The original platinum cylinder is still in Paris, at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures.

Platinum rings in recent history:
In the 19th century there were several major discoveries that saw platinum become more popular in both science and fashion. In 1803 the British scientist WH Wallaston found a way to make platinum malleable, which gave jewelers the chance to create beautiful platinum wedding rings and bands, as well as other jewelry. In 1819 platinum was discovered in the Ural mountain range in Russia. In 1866, as platinum rings were gaining inpopularity, diamonds were found in Kimberely, South Africa. With both diamonds and platinum in greater abundance, platinum wedding rings became more popular.

Platinum creations:
In 1884 the personal jeweler to the Russian Czars, Peter Carl Faberge, created a stunning jewelry egg, laced with platinum, for the wife of Alexander III, Marie. It was the beginning of two traditions; the unequaled Faberge egg collection, and the annual tradition of the Easter egg! Late in the 19th century Europe and Russia were swept up in platinum mania. Kings, Queens, Maharajas, and Czars all clamored for platinum. Platinum was used in jewelry, crowns, and even as thread for royal gowns, and , of course, no royal was without a platinum ring, or even a platinum wedding ring. But the most outrageous creation of all was Carlos IV of Spain’s Platinum Room at the palace royale in Aranjuez. The splendor of the room was unequaled; the hard wood decoration was completely encrusted in platinum.

Platinum rings in the 20th century:
Early in the 20th century Louis Cartier became the first person to really bring out the characteristics of platinum, in his platinum rings and jewelry. He used his "Garland style" in his platinum wedding rings to enhance the brilliance of the diamond. King Edward VII called Cartier "the jeweler of Kings, and the King of jewelers".
In 1912 the Titanic struck an iceberg on her maiden voyage from Southamptom, England to New York, killing close to 1500 people. In the wake of such a tragedy it became the fashion to wear black and white mourning jewelry. Platinum rings were the popular choice for the white metal of these mourning pieces. This marked the first time that the general public wore platinum rings.
In 1924 a German geologist named Hans Merensky discovered what is now the largest platinum deposit in the world, near Johannesburg, in South Africa. This deposit today accounts for roughly 75% of the worlds platinum industry. Chances are that your platinum wedding ring or band came from this deposit.
View photos of platinum wedding bands here