1.   In LONDON, platinum dropped amid concern that a slump in the Japanese economy following an increase in the sales tax in April is reducing demand for platinum jewelry.

2.   Platinum producers and marketing companies say they will postpone plans to promote platinum jewelry in southeast Asia following the recent currency crisis.

3.   Sales of platinum jewelry in southeast Asia are currently minimal, though countries such as Thailand and Indonesia produce platinum jewelry for export to Japan and China.

4.   Scott Kay, a platinum jewelry designer, offers more subtle designs, including a bezel-set diamond solitaire ring for men.

5.   Still, he said a drop in Japan should be more than offset by increased demand for platinum jewelry in China and the U.S.

6.   The delay forced consumers such as autocatalyst and electrical manufacturers, as well as platinum jewelry makers, to erode stockpiles to low levels.

7.   The higher tax and the current weakness of the Japanese yen is causing concern platinum jewelry demand is suffering.

8.   The tax and the current weakness of the Japanese yen is causing concern platinum jewelry demand is suffering.

9.   The wall has the elegance of platinum jewelry.

10.   Weak local currencies make it more expensive to purchase dollar-priced platinum and crimp demand for platinum jewelry, which is popular in Japan.