Facts about platinum

Platinum is one of the most valuable metals that is used not only in jewelry, but also for laboratory equipment,electrodes, platinum resistance thermometers, dentistry equipment, and catalytic converters.

Platinum occurs in some nickel and copper ores though it can be also found in some native deposits.

If we look at the platinum as the pure metal we can see that platinum has silvery-white color, it is lustrous, ductile, and malleable.

Platinum is resistant to corrosion since it doesn't oxidize at any temperature. It can only be corroded by using halogens, cyanides or sulfur.

Platinum is more valuable than gold and silver. Platinum is extremely rare metal which makes it even more valuable.

Platinum looks very much like silver so sometimes people mistake platinum with silver.

Country that produces most platinum is South Africa (80 % of total world platinum production) in famous Bushveld complex, followed by Russia and Canada.

In United States the biggest platinum reserves are located in Absaroka Range in Montana.

Platinum is an important substrate for many chemical reactions because of its ability to absorb hydrogen at normal temperatures.

Platinum exists in higher abundances on the Moon.

Platinum is non-magnetic metal with very high melting point.

Platimum is usually divided from other metal impurities by using hydrochloric and sulfuric acids since platimum is resistant to these acids while most other metal aren't.

Almost half of platinum sold on global market is used for automobile emissions control devices.

The most important application of platinum is in cars as a catalytic converter, which allows the complete combustion of low concentrations of unburned hydrocarbon from the exhaust into carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Platimum prices are usually stable during years of economic growth and fall in times of recession because of reduced industrial demand unlike gold prices that grow during times of recession since they are considered by many as safe heaven.

When you hear in some media that some music album went platinum it means that it was sold in more than 1 million copies.

Short-term exposure to platinum salts can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat while long-term exposure can lead to respiratory and skin allergies.