Platinum is the metal equivalent of diamonds - it is said to last forever. In addition to being one of the world's rarest precious metals, it is also extremely durable. It loses virtually no metal when scratched, and weighs 60 percent more than 14 karat gold. A six-inch cube of platinum weighs almost 165 pounds.

When used for jewelry, platinum is always alloyed with a second metal to give it strength, hold a high polish, and resist scratching. What is considered to be pure platinum actually contains no more than 5 percent alloy, and is often marked “.95 Plat” inside the band. Platinum with 10 percent allow can also be purchased, and may be marked as “.90 Plat” or similar.

Platinum is an ideal metal for anyone with sensitive skin, because it is most commonly alloyed with iridium or ruthenium, both of which are precious metals in the platinum metal group. Platinum only very rarely causes an allergic reaction; however, to be safe, always consult a physician.

Another reason that men’s platinum wedding rings have become so popular is that the metal never tarnishes. Its intense luster will remain intact over the years, despite everyday wear. Further, it is not vulnerable to problems like stress corrosion or cracking.

Just like diamonds, platinum is a very rare material. If all the platinum ever mined were compiled, it would only produce a cube 17 feet on each side – less than 5,000 cubic feet. In addition, it takes up to 10 tons of ore to produce one ounce of platinum, which is more than twice as much ore that is typically needed for one ounce of gold.