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Platinum glory matches the uniqueness of GBF concept car

The launch of OVER P001 GBF, a jewel of a car with sleek contours, platinum fittings and an engine with an extraordinary heritage. This guest of honour at Valenza Gioielli 2009 is a unique car that bridges past and present, whilst its design, mechanics and materials are the future. Its claim that “the future is OVER” is indeed true. The name of the vehicle, OVER P001 GBF – hints at the extraordinary features of this concept car. The initials will appeal to more than just car lovers: GBF stands for González-Bizzarrini under the signs of Future.


The platinum mascot: its shape draws the wind and the initials GB stand for González-Bizzarini.

José Froilán González is a great Argentinian pilot with a special place in the memories of Ferrari lovers as he has been the first to bring the Maranello red car to F1 success at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1951. Known as the “Pampas Bull” because of his bold driving style, González has competed in many other events in Europe and Argentina as well as F1, affirming his natural talent for motor racing. At the end of the 1950s González stopped racing in Europe, returning to his beloved Argentina, where he won many races. His car had a Chevrolet Corvette engine, modified on purpose, and with modifications that were in accordance with motor racing regulations. His single seater competed in, and won, 18 grands prix increasing the renown of the driver and confirming the exceptional nature of his car.
Following a long search, the engine was finally located in South America. This was the first step of a plan that aimed to produce a unique prototype, entrusting the design to one of the greatest experts in the field, engineer Giotto Bizzarrini. This resulted in a highly unusual chassis with oval pipes. The OVER P001 GBF is the first car in the world with copper bodywork and has a sleek, streamlined, sublime design: the bodywork draws the wind. Two seats, plus one, no roof or doors and an engine of more than 300hp, the car’s transparent floor gives passengers the thrill of speed. It is the interior of the vehicle, however, with its unique fittings, which is so impressive. Platinum, the most pure and rare precious metal has been used to create the car’s trimmings. This magnificent metal has been used on the steering wheel and to cap the gearstick as well as on the starshaped switches on the dash-board. On the exterior of the vehicle, platinum has been used to create the logo on the car’s nose, the mascot, the petrol and oil caps and the wheels hub caps. It is the exhaust system that is the real masterpiece, the pipes are linked internally with non-polluting platinum catalytic converters. These platinum components are an integral part of the car, increasing its originality and luxury appeal. The choice of this noble metal, platinum, is due to its exceptional attributes that match the uniqueness of the car. In addition, platinum is the most enduring noble metal. Its higher density ensures its durability. All metals experience some wear and tear, but with platinum this is a result of compression not dispersal. It is because this metal never loses mass or weight that a 0.0039 metre platinum cylinder is used as the international standard for a kilogram, it is stored at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (France). One reason why platinum is regarded as the purest precious metal is because the alloy used to create jewellery is 95% pure. It is also incredibly rare, much more so than gold. It is estimated that if all the gold in the world were melted down, it would fill three Olympic swimming pools, whilst platinum poured into one pool would only reach your ankles. It is this purity and rarity that make platinum the perfect metal for the symbolic solitaire and wedding rings on display at Valenza. Amongst the other beautiful platinum jewels on display are gem-studded pieces with the stones held by the most durable metal. Platinum is also highly versatile and is perfectly suited for the creations of the jewellers of Valenza. Platinum, with its history dating back over two billion years, and the OVER P001 GBF are the perfect link between the past and the future.


Montevideo (Uruguay), Autodromo El Pinar, 1960: José Froilán González on a Ferrari 625 with a modified Chevrolet Corvette engine is rushing towards the finishing line, winning the Torneiro Triangular Sul-Americano for the second time.

24 Hours de Le Mans, 1954: José Froilán González (fourth from the right) sitting for the group photo after winning the historical endurance race, the first won by Ferrari in international contests prototypes sport.

Buenos Aires (Argentina), Casa Rosada, José Froilán González (third from the left) with Evita Perón, in the middle, between her husband Juan Domingo Perón (right) and Juan Manuel Fangio.

After 40 years José Froilán González is again in front of “his” Corvette engine mounted on Ferrari 625 GP, with which he won 18 races.

US Mint introduces platinum coin

http://coins.coincollectingnews.org/2009-american-platinum-eagles

A new coin set in platinum and worth $1,792 has been released by the body responsible for printing and forging new currency.

The US Mint has launched the 2009 American Eagle Platinum coin, of which only 8,000 will be created, and will unveil five more different designs up until 2014.

Based on the six principles of the preamble of the United States Constitution as picked by chief justice John G Roberts Jr, the first platinum coins feature an image of the Statue of Liberty on one side and the inscription A More Perfect Union on the other.
Future coins will follow the themes of justice, domestic tranquility, common defense, general welfare and posterity.
Orders are limited to five per purchase.

Many owners of jewellery stores across America are still looking to purchase platinum coins and jewellery, despite difficult economic conditions, according to the Richmond Register.

Ralph Lauren launches limited platinum wristwatch

http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/02/ralph-lauren-limited-edition-platinum-stirrup-watch/

Consumers looking for a unique timepiece may be interested in a new limited edition platinum wristwatch from Ralph Lauren.

The company's Stirrup chronograph watch, which is set in platinum, has been unveiled in time for the Christmas season, however, only 67 of the artifacts are to be created - to commemorate the year 1967, in which Ralph Lauren was founded.

According to Luxist.com, the platinum casing houses Jaeger-LeCoultre movements and is attached to a black alligator skin wriststrap.

Inspired by equestrian fashion, the self-winding timepiece can be purchased for $68,500.

Dvice.com recently recommended a platinum-set, manually-wound portable clock designed by prestigious watch-maker Patek Philippe as a "perfect" gift for Christmas.

The firm has made the pocket-sized timepiece available in platinum, featuring two faces and more than 1,000 parts, and only produces two of the items per year, which may explain its price tag of $7.5 million, the website said.

Award-Winning Platinum Jewellery at GIA Museum

After touring the world, Platinum Guild International USA is proud to introduce the platinum Aqua Collection and highlights of the Plat Africa collection to the U.S. market in the first-ever “Best of Platinum” exhibit to be held at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) world headquarters in Carlsbad, California.

This exhibition marks the first time all of the pieces comprising the Aqua Collection will be showcased together. As a result, the GIA has opened its doors to make this exhibition open to the public.
The Best in Platinum exhibit runs until April 30, 2010. The exhibit is held in the exquisite main Rotunda Gallery at the GIA, a nonprofit institution and leading authority in gemology, jewellery education, research and diamond grading.

“PGI is thrilled to have the Aqua Collection and select winning Plat Africa pieces in the U.S. for the first time. Each of these pieces capture the intrinsic beauty and versatility of platinum and showcase talented designers across the world,” said James Courage, Platinum Guild International's chief executive officer (CEO). “We are honored and excited the exhibit will be held at the distinguished Gemological Institute of America for all to appreciate.”

Platinum Guild International began to commission one-of-a-kind statement necklaces to create the Aqua Collection in 2004 as a way to showcase the beauty, durability and prestige of platinum. They chose "water" as the theme because research revealed that it was the element consumers most associated with the precious metal.
The Aqua Collection is made up of four distinct pieces representing four countries, all of which will be featured at the exhibit:

• Italy — “AQUA,” the first necklace commissioned for the collection, created by Italian designer Orlando Orlandini

• Japan — “SHIBUKI” by Yuka Kobayashi of the Kuwayama Corporation in Japan • China — “JIANG” by Hong Kong designer Chu Wai On • India —“IRAJA” by India’s Arunima Bhaumik of Ganjam Jewellers.

The prestigious Plat Africa pieces showcased are the winning designs from a design and manufacturing competition that engages South African jewellery designers and local design students to showcase their creativity and originality in platinum. The year 2009 marks the tenth year of this competition, which celebrates the wealth of incredible talent within the South African jewellery industry.

The Best in Platinum exhibition features six award-winning pieces from the collection, including:
• Platinum Shields by Linki Van Zyl;

• Platinum Pearls by Annika Harms, inspired by the theme “Platinum Vows”;

• Platinum arum lily with gold stamen by Chris van Rensburg;

• Platinum and wood ring by Anneke Pienaar;

• Platinum poppy day brooch by Gunevere Stockwell; and

• Platinum neckpiece with three circular shapes with colored stones by Thuto Pule.

In addition to the Aqua and Plat Africa collections, the exhibit showcases several other award-winning platinum pieces by the designers Kirk Kara, Danhov, Mark Schneider, Michael B, Gurhan, Lisa Kirkawa and Tom Munsteiner.
GIA Museum viewings are free and available to the public through scheduled tours. Visitors must sign up for a tour by contacting guestservices@gia.edu or calling 800.421.7250 extension 4116.

Outside of the U.S., interested visitors can call 760.603.4116 or visit http://www.gia.edu/ for more information.

Stephen Silver launches platinum jewellery collection

A new range of platinum jewellery has been announced by prestigious designer Stephen Silver, featuring rare and vintage pieces set in the precious white metal.

The signature line, called the Wine Cellar Collection, offers nine unusual trinkets from a platinum-set 'cellar key' cuff bracelet to an emerald-cut diamond ring with 5.09 carats of the gemstones.

A hand-made platinum and diamond tassel necklace designed by Inga Papendieck is present in the collection, containing pearls and 10.48 carats of checkerboard-cut faceted moonstone.

It joins a pair of platinum, diamond and Burma ruby drop earrings as well as a decadent 45-carat diamond and 600-carat emerald necklace, also set in the precious metal.

Brides-to-be hoping to sparkle in platinum on their wedding day can view the range at the company's annual Open House on Thursday (December 3rd) at the Menlo Park Salon in California.