Platinum Prices--not sure where to post this, sorry

[Sparkles22]

I recently went to various retailers looking for a new setting in platinum, at lot of places didn''t carry any in stock. When I asked why, they said that the price of platinum is "sky high" right now. A couple of questions:

1) Are they right?
2) How much higher are they then usual, percentage wise?
3) Are they expected to come down, if so when?
4) Are diamonds at a high right now too? What about gold?

Anyone know????

Thanks--

 

[Mara]

not sure re: the future but platinum is definitely expensive right now, however it seems like it has been for a while now so dont know that it's falling anytime soon. i don't know about 'sky high' but things are more expensive in general. however i got a quote from WF for a ring set for a friend, and it was cheaper in platinum than a local store had it in WG so i found that interesting.

re: diamonds ... they have been climbing for a while now. the diamond i am buying now about 2 years ago would probably be about 20% cheaper. if not more.

 

[lil_jay78]

how much were you finding settings for?

My local jeweler told me(From what I think I can remember) that Platinum is currently selling at around $1100/oz. I''m not sure what the market was prior to that, but as with all things...like gas, you know it''s bound to increase in price as the demand seems to increase...sucks, don''t it?

 

[blake]

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

18k gold = 75% gold
most Platinum is 95% or higher

Platinum went high first because of catalytic converter use in car / polution gadgets

then the chinese decided they liked it in jewellery (they use more than USA)

If you all decided you did not like it it would get cheaper.

Its main benefit is for setting diamonds - you can use good white gold shank and plat setting

 

[strmrdr]

I recently seen a ring made of 14kx1 white gold alloy.
No plating and it was as white as a plated normal white gold ring.
Its also from what iv heard less brittle than normal white gold.
sounds like a great option over plat.
Best thing it that its the same price as 14k white gold and looks much better.
18kx1 is also available.

 

[strmrdr]

http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/X1-white-gold-alloy.htm

it does have nickel in it so it doesn''t help with allergies.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Storm you are rigt that lower carat white golds are more easily made in better colors.
More other materials and % to play with.

We have a 9k white with platinum and palladium that is a lovely metal - but snob value means we rarely use it.

Common sense is not common

 

[scarlet16]

Garry-
I wish people would begin to consider palladium. I''ve become such a HUGE proponent of it since I received my ring. I know the Chinese have taken a liking to it since the prices of platinum have been sky-rocketing. Seems like such a wonderful option considering the white metal properties of platinum, with the MUCH lower prices of gold (and even lower).

Maybe I should keep my mouth shut though to keep the prices of palladium down...

 

[Agent3Civ]

This might be somewhat off topic, but still has to do with metals and pricing. What are peoples thoughts on Titanium for wedding bands. We don''t want to break the bank getting expensive bands but we want something nice. Trying to keep a cheaper wedding.

 

[Agent3Civ]

Not trying to hijack your thread either sparkles, hope you don''t mind the question.

 

[Sparkles22]

Date: 4/26/2006 10:02:41 AM
Author: Agent3Civ
Not trying to hijack your thread either sparkles, hope you don''t mind the question.

Nope I don''t mind.

Blake--your graph was really cool thanks!

Thanks for everyone''s suggestions and responses!

 

[strmrdr]

palladium has been rising also.
Its in even shorter supply that plat so if 2 many people go to it then it will skyrocket even more than plat.

TI is kewl , the down side is it cant be resized and has to be remade.

 

[MissAva]

Date: 4/26/2006 9:26:09 AM
Author: scarlet16
Garry-
I wish people would begin to consider palladium. I''ve become such a HUGE proponent of it since I received my ring. I know the Chinese have taken a liking to it since the prices of platinum have been sky-rocketing. Seems like such a wonderful option considering the white metal properties of platinum, with the MUCH lower prices of gold (and even lower).

Maybe I should keep my mouth shut though to keep the prices of palladium down...

Scott Kay is going to have an entire line of Palladium coming out this fall, and I believe Novella already uses it regularly.

 

[Sparkles22]

Date: 4/26/2006 2:45:31 AM
Author: lil_jay78
how much were you finding settings for?

My local jeweler told me(From what I think I can remember) that Platinum is currently selling at around $1100/oz. I''m not sure what the market was prior to that, but as with all things...like gas, you know it''s bound to increase in price as the demand seems to increase...sucks, don''t it?

The engagement ring with 0.4ctw $2100, and the wedding band 0.25ctw $1250

Does that sound like a fair price? They do price matching, just haven''t been able to find the setting anywhere else.

Yeah its a real bummer. But I guess if they''re going to continue to increase then now is a good time to buy??

 

[Sparkles22]

Date: 4/26/2006 2:39:12 AM
Author: Mara
not sure re: the future but platinum is definitely expensive right now, however it seems like it has been for a while now so dont know that it''s falling anytime soon. i don''t know about ''sky high'' but things are more expensive in general. however i got a quote from WF for a ring set for a friend, and it was cheaper in platinum than a local store had it in WG so i found that interesting.

re: diamonds ... they have been climbing for a while now. the diamond i am buying now about 2 years ago would probably be about 20% cheaper. if not more.

Is it because it is an investment diamond? Have they come out with new cuts from 2 years ago? I''ll probably have to wait about 2 years or so before we can get an upgraded diamond. I''m looking at purchasing the setting now though.

 

[Mara]

nope it's not an investment diamond, diamond rough prices are just going up so it costs more for cutters to buy them and then in turn the cost is passed onto consumers. for about 5 years they stayed flat and then they started climbing. if i could have bought then what i am getting now, i wish we could have because we would have saved alot of money. it kind of irks to know that the same diamond 2-3 years ago would be $3-4k cheaper. oh well...luxury item.

i'm only well-versed with pricing on round diamonds, there are always new cuts coming out but i'm only interested in the typical RB for now!

 

[cflutist]

Date: 4/26/2006 6:37:30 AM
Author: strmrdr
I recently seen a ring made of 14kx1 white gold alloy.
No plating and it was as white as a plated normal white gold ring.
Its also from what iv heard less brittle than normal white gold.
sounds like a great option over plat.
Best thing it that its the same price as 14k white gold and looks much better.
18kx1 is also available.

Here is a picture comparing Plat, 14X1, and 18K-WG.

Here is a link to a thread where I talked about the new X-1 White Gold