Platinum is among the rarest and most expensive of the popular precious metals.
It is an extremely rare metal occurring at a concentration of only 0.005 ppm (parts per million) in Earth's crust
It is rarer and more expensive than gold. Platinum, which was named ‘platina’, meaning ‘little silver’, is one of the least reactive metals.
It has remarkable resistance to corrosion, even at high temperatures, and is therefore considered a noble metal.
Platinum is used for jewellery and many other areas, such as dentistry, as a catalyst in petroleum refining, anti-pollution devices (automobile and industry), electronics, and pharmaceuticals when a substitute is not available as it is very rare, or for prestige.
In 1814, Sir Francis Ronalds of London invented the first electric clock; it was powered with dry piles,
a high voltage battery with extremely long life but the disadvantage of its electrical properties varying with the weather.
In 1815, Giuseppe Zamboni of Verona invented and showed another electrostatic clock run with dry pile batteries and an oscillating orb
In 1840, Alexander Bain, a Scottish clock and instrument maker was the first to invent and patent a clock powered by electric current.
The first American alarm clock was created in 1787 by Levi Hutchins in Concord, New Hampshire (USA); however, he made this device only for himself, and it only rang at 4 AM,
in order to wake him for his job. The French inventor Antoine Redier was the first to patent an adjustable mechanical alarm clock, in 1847
The time on the new clock or watch is set to 10:10, this ubiquitous visual is no accident and can be traced back
in the 1930s or 40s; the main reason is the 10:10 position gives the clock or watch a clearly
visible brand and logo, and makes the product more appealing to customers.
There are around 1.2 billion watches are made each year, of which mechanical watches are the most popular with it holding an estimated 77% of the market.
Switzerland's most accurate clock is its atomic one, which works by measuring energy particles. It's reported
that if you checked the time in 30 million years it would still be in time within a single second.
Rolex invented the first wrist watch with the date on the dial, and to display two different time zones at the same exact time.
Rolex Submariner, which was originally released in 1954 by Rolex, was not a luxury product, but rather a professional diver’s watch. The watch is most durable, legible, and suitable for men and women regardless of look, style, or age
The first self-winding Rolex wristwatch, powered by an internal mechanism that used the movement of the wearer’s arm, was sold in 1931; it was preceded to the market by John Harwood which patented the design in 1923.
The world's most expensive watches: Chopard 201-Carat Watch ($25,000,000), Patek Phillipe - Henry Graves Pocket Watch ($11,000,000), Louis Moinet Meteoris Watch ($4,600,000), Piaget Emperador Temple ($3,300,000),
and Franck Muller The Aeternitas Mega 4 ($2,400,000).
Besides telling time, the Apple's watch can give directions, send text messages, track fitness and make wireless payments. When giving directions, the watch can gently squeeze the wrist to help indicate which way to turn.
The Ringly ring, which debuted in June 2014, can be programmed to glow when wearers get a
favorite email, an expected text message or a important phone call.
The Imperial State Crown is 31.5cm high, weighs 0.91kg and is set with over 3,000 precious stones, including the 317 carat Cullinan II diamond.
The word diamond comes from the Greek word meaning unbreakable.
As of 2012 the U.S. has the largest gold reserves in the world, around 8,134 tons.
United States - Gold: 8,133.5 tones - Reservation: 74.5%
Saudi Arabia - Gold: 322.9 tones - Reservation: 2.8%
United Kingdom - Gold: 310.3 tones - Reservation: 15.9%
Turkey - Gold: 295.5 tones - Reservation: 14.4%
Lebanon - Gold: 286.8 tones - Reservation: 29.4%
Spain - Gold: 281.6 tones - Reservation: 29.5%
The world's most expensive watch has sold at an auction on November 12, 2014 in Geneva for 20.6m Swiss francs (£13.4m); it took eight years for the Swiss watchmaker, Patek Philippe, to complete this Graves Supercomplication watch, which was made
from 24 carat gold and weighing half a kilogramme, for its customer, an American financier, in the Thirties.
In 2012 India consumed 864.2 metric tons of gold compared with 776.1 tons in China, 80.9 tons in Thailand, and 77 tons in Vietnam,
according to the producer-funded World Gold Council in its February report.
Diamond is the hardest natural material known and is often used for industrial cutting and polishing tools; most diamonds that are discovered are 1 to 3 billion years old; 80% of all diamonds are used for industrial purposes and are not suitable for jewelry. An estimated 65% of the world's diamonds come from the rich earth of southern Africa.
Diamonds, which were known in India for around 6,000 years, have been treasured as gemstones since their use as religious icons in ancient India.
The first diamonds were also discovered in Brazil. Africa, Russia, Botswana, Australia, and Canada produce the most diamonds, and the world’s largest diamond market is the U.S.
Around 57,000 lb (26,000 kilograms) of diamonds are mined around the world every year.
The world’s largest diamond is the Cullinan, found in South Africa on 26 January 1905, at 3106.75 carat (621.35 g, 1.37 lb) rough weight uncut, and about 10.5 cm (4.1 inches) long in its largest dimension.
Discovered in the Kimberley Mine in South Africa, the Tiffany Yellow Diamond weighed an amazing 287.42 carats (57.484 g) when discovered.
The Carat/Karat (kt) is still used for the weight of gem stones (1 carat = 200mg). Pure gold, which weighs 24 kt, is the softest gold, and it is not the best choice for creating everyday jewelry.
Contents of gold made in other colors - 18kt yellow gold: 75% gold + 12.5% silver + 12.5% copper;
14kt yellow gold: 58% gold + 25% silver + 17% copper;
18kt white gold: 75% gold + 5% copper + 15% nickel + 5% zinc;
14kt white gold: 58% gold + 20% copper + 14.5% nickel + 7.5% zinc;
18kt rose gold: 75% gold + 5% silver + 20% copper; and
14kt rose gold: 58% gold + 10% silver + 32% copper.
Gold is the only naturally metal material that is not chemically affected by air, moisture and most corrosive reagents.
In 2008 China overtook South Africa as the world's largest gold producer.
A single ounce of gold can be drawn into a wire 60 miles long.
As of today, 88,000 tons of gold have been taken from the underground of the Earth.
Gold is so heavy that one cubic foot of its weighs half a ton. The largest gold nugget found in California (US) weighs 195 pounds.
The best diamonds are colored blue-white.
Pearls melt in vinegar.
Jewelry - Watches Resources
Amber- manufactures products in the rough stone with that the loss of material survives justifiably and beauty survives most of all.
Amstel Diamonds - one of the oldest diamond factories of Amsterdam, has been producing gems since 1876. It is situated on the Amstel river in an old canal house in the very heart of historic Amsterdam.
Apollo Diamond- produces single crystal diamond wafers and crystals for the optoelectronics, nanotechnology, and consumer gem markets.
ARC International - Pakistan wholesale gemstones, crystals, tumbles stones, beads, and finished jewelry. It offers a fine collection of quality rough and cut loose gemstones.
Arizona Traders - a manufacturer and distributor of sterling silver, opal, and turquoise Indian jewelry.
Bali Beads- offers wholesale Bali silver beads and silver jewelry design.
Blanka Diamonds- a major diamond supplier with factories in Antwerp and Sri Lanka producing small brilliants for rings, pendants, earstuds, as well as for watches and other decoration of jewelry.
Baltic Amber- a source of amber, beads, and silver jewelry.
Bapalal Jewellers- An Indian manufacturer of gold, diamond and gemstone set jewellery.
Canada Diamonds- manufactures the quality diamond jewelry from facilities in Vancouver, and supplies the quality Canadian diamonds and diamond jewelry worldwide at wholesale prices.
Charles & Colvard- the sole-source manufacturer of Moissanite; a near colorless, created jewel with a fire, brilliance and luster unmatched by any other jewel. Charles & Colvard sells Moissanite jewels
to its distributing and jewelry manufacturing partners, who then provide exquisite Moissanite jewelry to fine retail jewelers around the world.
Diamond Broker- a diamond manufacturer, and supplied diamonds to wholesalers and major diamond and jewelry retailers around the world.
Elsa- manufactures custom wedding and engagement rings. It does business with retailers as well as the general public.
Goodfine Diamond- specializes in manufacturing a vast range of diamonds, sizes from 0.30 to 5 carat + in round and fancy shapes, "D" To "K" color, "IF – SI" clarity.
It also carries commercial quality goods.
Larimar- specializes in making handmade artisan jewelry using the natural gem Larimar.
Leo Schachter- offers handcrafting the world's most beautiful and brilliant diamonds. Its reputation circles the globe with stops in Paris, London, Milan, New York, L.A. and Hong Kong.
NB Gems- specialize in rare and unusual minerals in their natural or sculpted form complemented by a unique jewelry selection.
Qingdao Pure Gems- specializes in high quality cut stones in Clear CZ, Color CZ and Synthetic stones including cutting of semi-precious stones.
Polar Bear Diamond- manufacturer of diamonds that are mined, cut and polished in Canada.
Sasha Primak- offers certified collections of jewelry and diamond to the trade, includes product and dealer information.
Russian Brilliants- a diamond dealer buying and selling diamond rough and loose diamonds
Scintilla- features original pieces and collections of jewelry and diamonds with photographs and distributor details.
Spence Diamonds- a chain of Canadian diamond and jewelry retail stores.
It offers a selection of pendants, bracelets, earrings, and anniversary rings for every taste and price range. It provides hundreds of gift ideas in gold,
silver and platinum.
Auroratime- a watch manufacturer and exporter in Hong Kong. Product range includes fashionable watch, automatic watch, mechanical watch, quartz watch,
pocket watch.
Ebel - a Swiss upscale watch company opened since 1911. It offers luxury watches with the conception of time through the Swiss watch tradition.
Coral Hong- a Hong Kong manufacturer and exporter of watches, which include sports diver watch, sports chrono watch, classic watch, elegant watch, digital watch, sports watch.
Good Fortune Electronics- a Hong Kong manufacturer and exporter of clocks that include alarm clock, traveling clock, quartz alarm clock, mini alarm clock, desktop clock.
Hamilton Watches- an American watch manufacturer opened since 1892. Hamilton remains as one of the world's leading watchmakers.
Hanville- a Hong Kong watch manufacturer and exporter. Its Own Brand: Michel Renee, Que, Kin-mix, Louis Armolo, Mabell, Louis Valentino, Magic-tunnel.
Jayant Watch- an Indian watch company manufacturing watches, clocks and parts.
K & B Time- a Hong Kong leading and exporter of quartz watches, promotion watches, fashion watches, classical watches, and sports watches.
Kimsi- a manufacturer and exporter of LCD watch, promotion watch, digital watch, fashion watch, expansion watch, premium watch, brass watch, and stainless steel watch.
Max Rene- a leading watch manufacturer of combination of beauty and functionality in unique watch design.
Oemel- a well-established manufacturer and exporter since 1989 of PLL Digital Receivers, LCD Clock Radios, Audio Mouse Pads, Radio Control Clocks, LCD Clocks, Sound Technology and CD related products.
Omega- a manufacturer of prestige Swiss watches opened since 1848.
Precision Watches- a manufacturer and distributor for Andrew Marc watches, Cenere watches, Focus Watches, Cynthia Rowley timepieces.
Poerre Laurent- has developed its collections of jewelry to meet its expending customer base and its reputation for design and waulity.
Porsche Design- a majority-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG. The company’s activities are focused on the Porsche Design Studio in Zell am See, Austria, and on the brands Porsche Design and Porsche Design Driver’s Selection.
PRG Watch Manufactory Ltd- a majority-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG. The company’s activities are focused on the Porsche Design Studio in Zell am See, Austria, and on the brands Porsche Design and Porsche Design Driver’s Selection.
Spring Bars- a manufactures high Swiss quality spingbars for top class watches. Over 500 models and custom designs were developed.
Rovoda- a Rovada Celtic, Claddagh and Irish watches that include Celtic, Claddagh, Mythological, Heraldic, and watches of Irish interest. Designed and made in Ireland.
Silcom-China- a manufacturer of watches and clock in Hong Kong, radio controlled clock, metal clock, wood clock, travel clock, and fashion watches.
Silconent- a watch and clock manufacturer and exporter of all kind of watch and clock including classic watch, countdown watch, analog watch, alarm watch, euro converter watch, memory clock, travel clock, mini
clock, table clock, and wall clock.
Tech-Bond Timepieces- a manufacturer and exporter of watches includes stainless steel watches, chronograph watches, sport watches, military watches, ladies watches, men watches.
Tekday- offers a set of collection of numeric watches based on sport and technology.
Tembo- a Hong Kong manufacturer and exporter of fashionable watches, carbon fiber watches, stainless steel watches, titanium watches, sports watches, and ladies watches.
Time Creations- an exporter of fashionable watches, classic watches, analog watches, wrist watches, promotional watches, quartz watches, and mechanical watches.
Temerald- a Hong Kong manufacturer and exporter of fashionable watches, carbon fiber watches, stainless steel watches, titanium watches, sports watches, and ladies watches.
Time Emerald Industrial- a Hong Kong manufacturer and exporter of fashionable watches, carbon fiber watches, stainless steel watches, titanium watches, sports watches, and ladies watches.
Traser - a Swiss firm mb-microtec developed the technology to produce light sources so small, they can be installed on the hands and dial of your wristwatch.
Wing Kwong Hong - a Hong Kong manufacturer and exporter of mechanical watch, quartz watch, steel band watch, sports watch, alloy case watch.
Wings Industries Company - a designer, manufacturer, and exporter of quality timepieces. The products ranges from quartz analog, sports watches, classic style, premium, diver style, ana-digital, and chrongraph to
multi-function, pocket watch, slim style, metal bracelet, eather strap, steel, titanium, aluminum, water resistant, and plastic.
Yes Watch- a manufacturer of an unique watch that tells time by tracking natural rhythms of the sun and moon. It keeps both digital and mechanical time, sunrise and sunset of 500 cities
worldwide, alarm, stopwatch with lap time, adjusts for DST, water-resistant and night light.
Xemex Swiss Watch- a watch manufacturer that products Swiss watches and Swiss wrist watches.
