Platinum is set to be the star of this year's Valentine's Day celebrations in India, it has been reported.

The Platinum Guild International (PGI), together with jewellery retailer MP Jewellers, is to host a platinum festival in Kolkata, showcasing over 500 designs of platinum jewellery.

Those involved in the event believe that they can top the success of last year's platinum festival, in which around 250 platinum pieces were sold.

MP Jewellers Director Shibankur Roychoudhury told the Financial Express: "We want to sell around 350 this year."

Vaishali Banerjee, Manager of PGI India, discussed how platinum jewellery has become increasingly important in the Indian market over recent years. He explained: "Awareness of platinum has increased to 80 per cent among Indians. In India, there are five metros where platinum is sold - Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata."

There will be a wide variety of platinum pieces on show at the festival, including rings, necklaces and earrings in plain platinum and diamond combinations.

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