Platinum, a highly valued and desired metal, has a wide range of uses, including jewelry, catalytic converters, electrical contacts, ...
Platinum, a
highly valued and desired metal, has a wide range of uses, including jewelry,
catalytic converters, electrical contacts, pacemakers, drugs and magnets.
Because it is rare — there are only about 5 parts per billion by weight in
Earth's crust, according to Chemicool — platinum tends to be very pricey, as
anyone looking to buy a platinum wedding ring might discover.
Platinum is a
silver-white metal — it was once known as "white gold." It is
extremely resistant to tarnishing and corrosion (which makes it known as a
"noble metal") and is very soft and malleable, making it easy to
shape; ductile, making it easy to stretch into wire; and nonreactive, which
means it doesn't oxidize and is unaffected by common acids.
Platinum is one
of the transition metals, a group that includes gold, silver, copper and
titanium — and most of the elements in the middle of the periodic table. The
atomic structure of these metals means they can bond easily with other
elements.
Facts about Platinum:
Platinum is strong. Platinum, one of the strongest and most
enduring metals in the world, is also one of the heaviest: it weighs 60% more
than karat gold. It is ideal for jewelry worn every day because it exhibits
little material loss, even after prolonged wear.
Platinum is pure. In the platinum jewelry generally
contains 90% or 95% pure platinum. By comparison, 18 karat gold is 75% pure
gold and 14 karat gold is 58% pure gold. Platinum is hypoallergenic and resists
tarnish.
Platinum is rare. To produce a single ounce of platinum, a
total of 10 tons of ore must be mined. In comparison, only three tons of ore
are required to produce one ounce of gold. Rarity lends platinum its cachet.
Platinum is lustrous. Platinum's rich, white luster perfectly
complements diamonds and other precious gems. Its neutral color enhances a
stone's brilliance and depth.
Platinum is fashionable. Platinum jewelry appeals to many people
today because of its subtle beauty and elegant understatement. Many platinum
jewelry designs are accented with 18 karat gold, creating a sophisticated,
versatile and fashionable look.
Interesting Facts about Platinum:
- Many of the world’s most precious gemstones, including the Hope Diamond, have Platinum settings.
- During World War II, non-military use of Platinum was banned in the United States, as it was deemed a strategic metal.
- Platinum is hypo-allergenic. This is the reason why Platinum has so many medical and dental applications and a large factor in it’s popularity as jewellery.
- While Platinum was known to the pre-Columbian people and discovered by modern man in the 1700’s, it was not possible to produce the metal in quantity or work with it until the advancement of technology in the nineteenth century.
- When Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was coronated as consort to King George VI, the frame of her crown was constructed of Platinum.
- The annual production of Platinum is about 130 tonnes. While this seems like a substantial number, it pales in comparison when you realize that nearly 260 tonnes of steel are used in U.S. manufacturing operations daily.
- All of the Platinum ever mined would barely fill a 25 cubic foot (7.6 cubic meter) box. The block would weigh over 16 tons.
- 90% of the worlds annual supply of Platinum is extracted from four mines. Three of these mines are located on the continent of Africa.
- 50% percent of the Platinum produced annually in all mines is used for industrial applications.
- The melting point of Platinum is 1,769°C and its boiling point is 3,827°C.
- The density of Platinum is 21.45 g/cm3, that’s 11% more than gold and about twice the density of silver.
Platinum has
been used for a wide variety of purposes by man. While original uses included
jewellery, ornamentation and utensils, Platinum has expanded its usefulness far
beyond this limited scope. Platinum is also prized for its investment value.
For those seeking to invest in Platinum, it is notable that the value of the
metal is prone to extremes.
