Innovating Luxury: Platinum Jewellery before 1900
- Date
- 03 Sep 2025 · 6:00PM - 7:00PM
- Price
- Pay what you can: £7 or £10
- Venue
- Online (via Zoom), UK time
- Programme type
- Talks
What is the story of platinum jewellery? How did this white metal become synonymous with opulence and glamour? Discover this material’s fascinating past and its iconic association with luxury brands such as Tiffany & Co. and Cartier.
Join jewellery historian, Dr Jack Ogden, in this online talk exploring the development of platinum jewellery. This metal is often considered a very twentieth-century phenomenon, but in actuality, some platinum ornaments were being made in Europe by the late 18th century. Find out how platinum jewellery gained popularity during the 19th century, winning awards in France and how Tiffany & Co. lead the field with diamonds set in platinum. This talk will explore how advances in technology were introduced to work with what can be considered a ‘tricky’ metal, delving into this often ignored aspect of jewellery history.
There will be the opportunity to ask questions and join in the conversation.
Image credit: A diamond set brooch with platinum settings and gold backing, 1890s. French Control mark for 18 carat gold on the gold. (c) Jack Ogden.
FAQs:
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Who is the speaker?
Dr Jack Ogden is a British jewellery historian specialising in the development of materials and technology. He has lectured world-wide on this subject and written numerous articles and several books. His most recent books are ‘Diamonds: an early history of the king of stones’ (Yale University Press 2018) and ‘Jewellery technology in the ancient and medieval world’ (Brynmorgen 2024). He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and founder and past president of the Society of Jewellery Historians. He holds a Doctorate from Durham University and has earned the Gem-A Gemmology Diploma (with distinction) and the Diploma in Art Profession Law and Ethics from the Institute of Art and Law (with distinction). He is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Arts Scholars.