I’ll admit it: I’m a magpie. Every time new jewelry samples make their way into the office, I’m the first one to peek my head through the door and inquire, “Shiny?”

Yet even I tend to stay as far away from platinum as I can. Not because I don’t like it – who wouldn’t like a metal even brighter and more scratch-resistant than gold? – but because I’ve been conditioned by pure platinum price tags the way some people condition their dogs with shock collars. All I see is the word “platinum” and my mind screams, “Too expensive! Must not touch! I am not worthy!”

Which is ridiculous. But so is the price.

Hence, my new love affair with the Lorián Platinum Collection: as strong and beautiful as regular platinum, but lighter, guaranteed for life, and available at a savings of over 75%. At that amount, I suddenly don’t mind being just a little bit self-indulgent with my jewelry purchases. And as much as I liked the designs of Generation I, I LOVE the styles we’ve got now in Generation II.

"Call Me Sweetheart" Ring"Double Trouble" Necklace"Evening Glow" Necklace"Secret Love" ring

Out of curiosity, though, I started researching how much the Generation II pieces might cost in pure platinum from a mined diamond retailer. I knew they were over 75% less, but I wanted to see for myself. I came across a few examples on the website of an extremely prominent diamond retailer in New York. (Sorry, but I’m not dropping any names here. This is a price comparison, not a chance to bash other brands.)

I found a total of three comparable styles: the Call Me Sweetheart ring, the Double Trouble necklace, and the Evening Glow necklace . (Although, honestly, I think the Diamond Nexus version of the Evening Glow looks better. The gemstones are bigger.) What I saw made my eyes pop out of my head. The same designs cost not thousands, but tens of thousands of dollars more. One price tag was well into six digits. And you can bet they don’t carry a full lifetime warranty.

So the Lorián Platinum love story continues. Maybe I’m naïve, but I still don’t understand the appeal of jewelry that’s so expensive that people are too nervous to actually wear it, even if they can afford to own it. Especially now, with such a high quality alternative available.