Old European Cut Diamond
Like the old mine cut, diamonds cut into this shape possess a high crown, small table, and a large, flat culet. However, the old European cut has a circular girdle. With 58 facets, it is the predecessor of today's modern round brilliant cut. The Old European cut dates to the 1800s and was used mostly during the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Nouveau eras.
Platinum
The element platinum derives its name from the Spanish Platina del Pinto which translates to 'little silver from the Pinto' (said to be a river near Popayan, Columbia in which alluvial platinum was first found by the Spanish Conquistadors). Its white metallic luster leaves little doubt as to why the Spanish chose the name.
Platinum belongs to a group of elements, fittingly called the platinum group of metals. Apart from platinum the group comprises Osmium, Iridium, Palladium, Rhodium and Ruthenium. Platinum is often found as natural alloys containing one or more of these other elements and it wasn't until 1804 that all but one of the elements were isolated and named.
Platinum is malleable, ductile and very strong. In addition, it does not tarnish and it doesn't corrode making it a highly prized metal and extremely suitable for the manufacture of fine jewelry.
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