"The Craftsmanship Behind Platinum: Why It's Tougher to Create Than Gold or Silver Jewelry"

Platinum jewelry is more difficult to make than solid gold or sterling silver jewelry due to several factors:

1. Hardness and Density: Platinum is denser and harder than gold and silver, making it more challenging to shape, bend, and work with. It requires more effort and specialized tools to manipulate.

2. Melting Point: Platinum has a higher melting point (about 1,768°C/3,214°F) compared to gold (1,064°C/1,947°F) and silver (962°C/1,764°F). This means higher temperatures are needed for casting and soldering.

3. Tool Wear and Tear: Due to its density, platinum causes more wear on tools, necessitating frequent sharpening or replacement of equipment.

4. Polishing and Finishing: Platinum requires more time and effort for polishing because of its hardness, making the finishing process more labor-intensive.

5. Soldering Difficulties: Since platinum melts at a higher temperature, it requires special solders and techniques to join pieces together, making soldering more challenging compared to gold or silver.

These factors contribute to higher labor costs and skill requirements for platinum jewelry production.