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Buying Guide
Buying and Caring for Platinum
Purchase Advice
Caring for Platinum

Buying with confidence - a brief guide to what to look for in the jewellery store, what to expect and how to prepare for making your choice.
Purchase Advice

What to Expect in the Store

  • Always go to a PGI authorised retailer for your platinum purchase.
  • Although sales representatives are there to help you make the right choice, the more you know about platinum jewellery the better prepared you will be. You will be able to choose from a range of exclusive designs. Many jewellers can order customized designs, so being able to describe what you are looking for is useful. And remember, any ring setting you see in a store can be duplicated in platinum.
  • If choosing an engagement ring, you'll be faced with decisions about the shape of the diamond and the setting style. The diamond accounts for an overwhelming majority of the price of the ring, so choosing platinum will keep it secure while enhancing its beauty. There are always trade-offs to be made between the size, brilliance and number of diamonds. But you wouldn't want to compromise when it comes to the pure, rare and eternal nature of the setting.

Buying Authentic Platinum Jewellery

PGI has a quality assurance program for India that is monitored and audited by Underwriters' Laboratories (UL Inc.)

When buying platinum jewellery please ensure the following:

  • You buy from a PGI authorised store - which can be identified by the following:
    • PGI signage outside the store
    • PGI licence on the platinum jewellery counter
    • Display material (containing the Pt logo) and brochures / catalogues
  • The piece of platinum has the following stamps:
    • The Pt logo
    • Purity (900 or 950)
    • Unique identification number (a unique serial number to identify every piece of jewellery manufactured in India under the program). 
  • With every purchase, you receive a quality assurance card that contains the following information:
    • Unique identification number - as stamped on the piece
    • Platinum purity
    • Brief description of the piece
    • Retailer Name

Anatomy of the Engagement Ring

The parts and their purpose
It may be one ring, but it's made of many distinct elements:

Anantomy of the Ring
  • The Stone will account for 75-90% of the overall cost of the ring.
  • The Setting holds the center stone. A strong precious metal is imperative in securing your investment.
  • The Band will endure the most wear over time since it's in constant contact with the fingers and everything that the hand touches.
  • The Hallmark is the stamp that indicates the type and purity of the metal. All rings must have this.

    • Ring Settings

    Each setting has its own personality. Knowing your way around these selections will help you determine which setting suits your personal style and tastes.

    Prong
    The setting that lets the stone be the hero. It's visible from all sides for maximum sparkle.
    Cathedral/Contour
    Similar to prong but with rising slopes to protect the stone on two sides. Elegant, but a little more secure.
    Channel
    Stones sit between two parallels of metal. Visible, but not prominent. Allows the metal and stone to each have their own distinction.
    Bar
    Harkens to the style and class of a bygone era. Features a thin metal bar that separates each stone but leaves the sides open to bring in light.
    Bezel
    Timeless. A classic setting that draws attention to the stone, and away from itself, by framing it in precious metal.
    Pavé
    Sophisticated, but subtle. Tiny metal beads hold each stone in its own discreet setting.
    Tension
    This setting grips the stone with 65-95 pounds of pressure, creating the illusion that the stone is hovering in space.
    Flush
    A high-impact, low-stress setting. Offers the security of small stones inside tiny holes.

    Ring Sizes

    When you present the woman you love with an engagement ring, you want the occasion to be just right. Create a moment to treasure forever by surprising her with a beautiful platinum piece. To ensure the ring fits perfectly at that perfect moment, here are some tips on how to discover her ring size, without letting her in on the big secret.

    If your loved one has a ring that she wears on her engagement ring finger (remember, ring sizes vary from finger to finger), find an occasion when she's not wearing it and take it to a jeweller for sizing, then get it back again without arousing suspicion! If it's not too obvious, offer to take her jewellery to be cleaned and have the ring sized at the same time.

    If she doesn't leave her rings around for too long, you could try making an imprint of one of them when she's not looking. Pressing a ring into a piece of soap, clay or other malleable substance will make an impression of it that you can then take to a jeweller to obtain a reliable measurement.

    If there's nothing soft to hand, grab a pen and paper and draw a line around the inside of the ring. Again, this can be taken to a jeweller who can determine an accurate measurement.

    Perhaps the quickest way to get an idea of her ring size is to place one of her rings on your own finger and push it down as far as it will go. Mark the spot where it fits with a pen, then go to a jewelleer who will be able to take a measurement, making sure not to wash off the mark before you do!

    You could also try asking one of her friends or relatives if they know her ring size, but make sure you ask someone who will be trusted not to give the game away!