Cause celebre: Platinum engagement rings

Nothing expresses eternal love with more finesse than Platinum.

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The lure of a classic is the kiss of eternity, and nothing expresses the eternal with more finesse than Platinum.

Engagements rings: Bvlgari

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Jewellery expert Michael OConnor confirms that the most recent styles in engagement rings spotted on Hollywood royalty such as Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller and Alec Baldwin's fiancee Hilaria Thomas confirms the popularity of the snowflake metal.

Engagements rings: Chaumet

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"Celebrities choose platinum for their engagement ring and wedding bands because it wont change colour or fade," says O'Connor. "It symbolizes a relationship that will endure", he adds.

Engagements rings: Damiani

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However, the oeuvre is the ogre. To produce a single ounce of Platinum, 14 tonnes of ore needs to be mined; 50 further processes taking six weeks are required to extract and refine Platinum concentrate (powder) that is melted to produce an ingot.

Engagements rings: Damiani

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Also, Platinum occurs as only 5 ppb (parts per billion) in the Earth's crust.

Engagements rings: Damiani

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Retailers claim supply estimates of this fine metal is 30 times rarer than gold, so that if all the world's platinum reserves were poured into one Olympic size swimming pool, it would be scarcely deep enough to cover your ankles; whereas gold would fill more than three such pools.

Engagements rings: Faberge Solyanka Sapphire Ring

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Along with the rarity of the metal, Platinum's wear and tarnish-resistance characteristics-well suited for fine jewellerymake it more precious than gold.}

Engagements rings: Faberge Solyanka Ruby Ring

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In the 18th century, platinum's rarity made King Louis XV of France declare it the only metal fit for a king.

Engagements rings: Faberge Solyanka Emerald Ring

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Engagements rings: Faberge Blue Sapphire Ring

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Engagements rings: Faberge Mazurka Ring

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Royal patronage aside, platinums popularity boasts an even hoarier lineage that dates back to 100 BC when the Pre-Columbian Indians of the Americas made jewellery that celebrated the confluence of gold and platinum.

Iconic Harry Winston HW engagement ring

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But, it was only much later, by about 1520 AD when the Spanish Conquistadors discovered a white metal in the rivers of Ecuador and christened it 'Platina' or 'little silver'.

Classic Harry Winston Pear-shaped diamond engagement ring

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Expense and exclusivity aside, the magnetism of platinum is its unpretentious appeal; true style never shouts!

Classic Harry Winston Oval diamond engagement ring