Platinum-the Lost Treasure in Ancient China
From prehistoric civilization to princess and pop star-platinum, the so-called "new metal", its story is far longer than you think. Meteorites contain platinum, and the earliest record can be traced back to 2 billion years ago, when a meteor hit the earth. Since then, this rare and fascinating treasure has appeared sporadically throughout history, and sometimes suddenly disappeared for centuries, which is both confusing and attracting people who meet unexpectedly. The ancient Egyptians, the ancient Inca civilization and the Spanish conquerors all encountered platinum. Later, it reappeared in the18th century, which made kings and alchemists equally crazy. 19 and the 20th century, platinum was more and more admired and loved by people. Today, it has become the precious metal of choice for movie stars and elites.
Meteorite impact
Two billion years ago, long before the dinosaur era, when there were only simple bacteria on the earth, a huge meteorite hit the North American part of the earth. This is the earliest known meteorite impact. Meteorite is the product of supernova, which is formed by the explosion of a huge planet and is rich in platinum. (The picture shows the photographed supernova remains. )
Egyptian funeral
BC 1200-Egyptians imported gold from the ancient Nubian kingdom, which contained trace amounts of platinum. They use this metal mixture to make jewelry and decorations. Although no one knows whether they consciously use platinum.
In 700 BC, King Thebes, the daughter of Hippanypt, the high priest, was buried in a huge sarcophagus decorated with hieroglyphics of gold and platinum. In her grave, there is also a small jewelry box made of platinum. (as shown)
Qianyin decoration Shi
BC 100-Among the ancient South American civilizations, the most famous is the Inca Empire: skilled craftsmen made nose rings and other ceremonial ornaments out of platinum and gold. After that, platinum disappeared in human history for 2000 years and was forgotten for thousands of years. It was not until European explorers discovered the New World that they stepped onto the historical stage again.
Confused conqueror
1590-Platinum was once again discovered by Spanish conquerors, who gave it a derogatory term "platina", meaning "rare silver". Spanish Navy Captain Antonio Garcia (see photo) was one of these Spanish conquerors who misunderstood the value of platinum. Because they were eager to find gold and had no impression of platinum, these Spaniards mistakenly thought it was inferior metal and threw it back into the rivers of Ecuador to make it more "mature". Platinum once again mysteriously disappeared in history.
charm
/kloc-in the 0/8th century, platinum began to enter Europe, and soon it became an extremely important part of alchemy fanaticism. Because of its special chemical properties, platinum became an essential ingredient in medicine when fearless inventors tried to convert lead into gold.
kings of metal
175 1 year-Shortly after Teffer Schiffer, a Swedish scientist, classified it as a precious metal, platinum became the royal family's favorite. 65438+In 1980s, French King Louis XVI announced that it was the only metal suitable for the king, and his jeweler Marc Etienne Giannetti designed several platinum products for him, including a gorgeous sugar bowl. (see photo)
Pope Eucharist Cup
1788- In order not to be outdone by his French rivals, another platinum fanatic, Spanish King Carlos III, ordered Francisco Airoso to make a magnificent platinum Eucharist cup for Pope Biga VI. The chalice is 12 ft (30 cm) high and weighs 412 lb (2 kg). Today, this luxurious ornament is worth about $75,000.
metric system
metric system
1795, during the awakening of the French Revolution, France created the metric system of weights and measures. Mark Etienne Giannetti, a former jeweler of Louis XVI, fled during the French Revolution. He was once again called to Paris to make a standard weight kilogram with platinum. For this purpose, platinum is the preferred metal, because its durability determines that it will never wear out, so it will not produce errors in the standard weight. This original platinum cylinder is now kept in the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Paris.
Major discovery
From19th century to19th century, several important discoveries doubled the value of platinum in the fields of science and fashion. 1803, the British scientist wh wallaston discovered a processing method, which can make platinum malleable and facilitate its commercial application. 18 19 discovered the reserves of platinum in the Urals Mountains of Russia, and 1866 discovered diamonds in Kimberly, South Africa, so platinum became the best base to match these gems, and its popularity increased greatly.
Eggs with cypress seeds
1884-Peter Karl Huabaizi, a jeweler of the Russian tsar, offered to make a jewel egg for Alexander III as a gift to Queen Maria. Since then, it has become an annual Easter tradition, and colorful jewelry eggs have become extraordinary masterpieces, decorated with various precious stones and platinum. Since the successful production, every egg has been closely protected and contains secret surprises. For example, a model train made of gold and platinum clockwork is to celebrate the successful completion of the trans-Siberian railway. Since 19 17 Russian revolution, colorful products have flowed into the people, and many of them have been sold to western countries.
Baijin palace
/kloc-at the end of 0/9th century, platinum fever swept Europe and Russia. Kings, queens, czars and princes use platinum as their decorations, and even use platinum thread on their robes. Spanish King Charles IV of Spain ordered the construction of a platinum palace in Alain Huisz Palace. The whole room is decorated with hardwood inlaid with platinum, which reflects the luxury and glory of that era.
Cartier
At the beginning of the 20th century, Louis Cartier became the first person to successfully create platinum jewelry, and he made the hidden connotation of this metal be discovered for the first time. Cartier applied platinum to his "garland" ornaments, making diamonds more gorgeous. His accomplishments in platinum technology were unparalleled, which fascinated Edward VII of England and called his works "the king's treasure, the king in the treasure". Besides the king, the prince and the marquis are also crazy about Cartier's works. The picture shows an Indian prince wearing a Muslim headscarf ornament and necklace created by Cartier.
Titanic
19 12- Titanic, the world's largest luxury cruise ship, hit an iceberg and sank 400 miles south of Newfoundland on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to new york. 1500 people were killed on board. To commemorate this disaster, the upper class in new york competed to wear black and white mourning ornaments. Among these mourning methods, platinum has become a popular choice of white metal.
Major discovery
1924-German geologist Hans Moransky discovered the world's largest platinum mine near Johannesburg, South Africa. The modern platinum industry has begun.
Platinum blonde
1930s-With the invention of sound movies, Hollywood actresses swept the United States, and people rushed to watch movies, which became a way to escape from reality during the Great Depression. Actresses such as Joan Harlow and Marina Dietrich (see photo) all choose platinum jewelry. The great success of platinum in Hollywood was shown in frank capra's film Blonde in Platinum, which was played by Jane Hare.
British royal family
1936-37- King Edward VIII of England abdicated and married the divorced Mrs Simpson. George VI succeeded to the throne. At the coronation ceremony, his wife, Queen Elizabeth (the queen's mother), wore an exquisite platinum crown inlaid with the famous Coe-E-Noel diamonds. King Edward, now the Duke of Windsor, married Mrs Simpson and exchanged platinum wedding rings produced by Cartier. The Duchess of Windsor is a jewelry expert and collector. She claimed that platinum was the only jewelry suitable for dinner.
The Second World War
During World War II (1939- 1945), with the outbreak of the war (1939), platinum was declared as strategic metals in the United States, which was used to make weapons and was forbidden to make jewelry. In the postwar period, with the increasing enthusiasm for jewelry, platinum became popular again. 1947 At the "White Prosperity" exhibition in new york, a number of precious platinum and diamond jewelry were exhibited, which further confirmed that platinum was all the rage at that time.
Elvis Presley and Priscilla said, "I do."
1967- Elvis Presley and his lover Priscilla held a secret wedding at Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. Their wedding ring is made of platinum. In the following decades, the popularity of platinum increased day by day. In the United States, platinum is especially admired in wedding rings and bridal jewelry. Many brides wear platinum jewelry and say "I do".
Cinderella's platinum shoes
1997, an outstanding platinum work, made a beautiful fairy tale come true. Tanaka Precious Metals Industry in Tokyo, Japan made a pair of Cinderella shoes with 4 1/2 pounds (2 kilograms) of platinum. This exquisite work is on display in Britain, and the lady who just fits these beautiful platinum shoes will get a small gift. Unfortunately, the gift is not these shoes! )
The darling of the red carpet
Nowadays, platinum has become the first choice of precious jewelry for the upper class in the world, and it is also deeply loved by elton john and other stars. When movie stars mike douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones got married in June 2000, they chose a platinum wedding ring. Platinum also frequently appeared on the red carpet of the awards ceremony, and halle berry, the Oscar-winning actress, had a special liking for it.
Platinum is pure, rare, eternal and versatile-these qualities make this precious metal even more unique.
pure
Platinum is white and pure, which is a perfect expression and a true reflection of the inside. The purity of platinum jewelry is generally 95% (while the purity of 18k gold is only 75%), so it won't fade and change color, and it can still keep its luster over time. The purity of platinum contains excellent white luster, which can best reflect the true light of diamonds. The purity of platinum is also very suitable for skin loading, because it does not contain impurities like other metals, so platinum will not have allergic reactions to the skin.
infrequent
Platinum is the rarest precious metal in the world, and it is sought after by people who pursue life taste. Platinum is 30 times rarer than gold. In the world, it can only be mined in a few places. If all the platinum in the world is poured into an Olympic standard swimming pool, its depth is not enough to cover the instep, but gold can fill three swimming pools. The rarity of platinum makes it more noble and different, and can fully show your personality.
A platinum mine in your hand
eternal
The density and weight of platinum make it more durable than other jewelry metals. 1 6 inch square (15cm) platinum cubic weight 165 pounds (75kg), which is equivalent to the weight of an ordinary male. Platinum is resistant to heat and acid, with a melting point as high as 3223 degrees Fahrenheit (1768 degrees Celsius). Platinum will not wear, and it can hold precious jewels stably and safely. Some world-famous gems are fixed on platinum bases, such as Coe-E-Noel diamonds and some jewels in the British crown. All precious metals leave scratches, including platinum. However, the scratches on platinum only move the metal and will not reduce its volume, while the scratches on gold will bring wear and reduce the volume of gold. If visible scratches appear on platinum, qualified jewelers can polish it again.
Multiple uses
Besides strength and density, platinum has another excellent quality: flexibility. Platinum is very flexible. It only needs 65,438+0 grams of platinum, and it can be drawn into filaments more than 65,438+0 miles (nearly 2 kilometers) long. This quality combined with the strength of platinum enables jewelers to create extremely flexible mesh platinum jewelry, which other precious metals can never do. Platinum is also essential in other fields: it can be used in industry, especially in catalytic reactors. Platinum also plays an important role in the medical field. It is not affected by blood oxidation, has excellent conductivity and is compatible with living tissues. Because of these characteristics, platinum is used in pacemakers. At present, more than 50,000 people rely on pacemakers to live a healthy life. For them, platinum is a life-saving metal.