![]() Though not a precious metal, cobalt is both hard and lustrous, making it well suited for alloying with platinum. In small doses, they add strength to platinum without compromising its luster or malleability.Ĭobalt is another silver-white metal popularly used in platinum alloys. But unlike platinum, they’re hard and brittle. Like platinum, these platinum group members are both white precious metals. ![]() Iridium and ruthenium are often used in platinum alloy metals. Alloying (mixing) platinum with other metals increases its strength and durability, allowing for the creation of practical jewelry designs. Platinum jewelry is made from alloys, not pure platinum alone. Platinum Jewelry Alloys & Quality Stamps Platinum engagement ring 7. It was listed in the critical mineral category by the United States Department of the Interior in 2018. Platinum is also used as a catalyst for different processes in the chemical industry, in the production of some electronics, and in medicine and dentistry.ĭue to its important applications in military technologies, platinum is considered a strategic metal. The jewelry industry uses the second-largest amount of platinum, accounting for about 30% of the annual total. About 40% of the annual global supply is used to make catalytic converters that treat vehicle exhaust emissions, reducing their harmful effects on human and environmental health. Platinum has both practical and aesthetic uses. Most platinum is found deeper in the Earth’s crust than other metals, so mining it is usually done underground. The other three regions are Russia (11%), Zimbabwe (8%), and North America (6%). South Africa is responsible for 72% of annual global production. Where is Platinum Found?Īccording to the World Platinum Investment Council, 97% of the world’s platinum is found in only four regions. The monarch declared platinum the only metal fit for royalty, and it has been associated with opulence and social status ever since. This perception changed when platinum jewelry was introduced to the court of Louis XVI of France five decades later. At first, Europeans considered platinum a worthless metal. Pre-Columbian platinum artifacts include ornamental items such as jewelry and figurines, as well as practical wares such as tweezers and fish-hooks.įollowing the Spanish conquests in South America, the discovery of platinum is usually credited to the naval officer Antonio de Ulloa, who in 1735 encountered what the Spanish would come to call platino, meaning “little silver”. ![]() There is a much richer historical record of platinum metallurgy in the New World. Though the Ancient Egyptians were aware of platinum, few platinum artifacts from Ancient Egypt survive. Platinum History & Uses Polished platinum wedding bands 4. Gold and silver have much lower melting points, so they’re easier to work with. Jewelers need specialized equipment that can heat platinum to its 3,215☏ (1768☌) melting point. Platinum items are also more difficult to produce. By comparison, gold jewelry alloys are usually only 75% (18 karats) or 53.4% (14 karats) pure. In jewelry, platinum purity is typically 95% or higher. Metal purity is another factor that increases cost. Platinum is currently being traded at around $980 USD per ounce. The limited supply and high demand for platinum makes it expensive. Only about 6 million ounces (170 metric tons) of platinum is produced annually, compared to about 108 million ounces (3,062 metric tons) of gold, and about 860 million ounces (24,381 metric tons) of silver. Platinum is far rarer than gold and silver. Like gold and most other precious metals, platinum is resistant to environmental damage because it does not react with oxygen, water, or most acids. This protects it from shattering when struck or dropped, as can happen to more brittle metals such as tungsten. Being a reasonably malleable metal, platinum can bend without breaking. Platinum has a Mohs hardness rating of 4 to 4.5 (the maximum hardness is 10), which makes it harder than both gold and silver. A jewelry piece made from platinum is about 30% heavier than the same piece done in 18k white gold. As one of the densest substances on Earth, platinum is noticeably heavy. Like many other white metals, platinum has a natural white luster and shine. What Are the Physical Qualities of Platinum? Platinum Properties & Price Pure platinum poured bars 1. ![]() Does Platinum Jewelry Tarnish or Corrode? Platinum Jewelry Alloys & Quality Stamps. ![]()
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