Jewelry blog from Jewelrymall.com

Many would think gold is the most precious of all metals. On the contrary, platinum is the real one. This silvery-white and malleable metal is even the rarest, and most expensive of all. It is also useful that the majority of all platinum being extracted from earth is used in industrial and environmental purpose.

The following are some platinum element facts and other information about this precious metal:

• Platinum is so rare that its total quantity can only fit in a living room. You have to find two tons of ore to make a pure platinum ring. Compare to gold, it is thirty times rarer.
• Forty percent of all platinum being extracted from earth is used in jewelry.
• The name Platinum originated from the Spanish word “Platina” which means “little silver”.
• “Pt” is its symbol in the Periodic Table of Elements and grouped with other metals that are ductile, able to conduct heat and electricity, and malleable.
• Everywhere platinum jewelry is considered as the most elegant and the finest of all.
• This is an “industrial metal”. Major industries like gasoline, pacemakers, paints, fertilizers and even anti-cancer drugs depend on platinum.
• Eighty five percent of total platinum jewelry is being consumed by Japanese.
• About one-third of the total supply of this metal is being used as a medium converter and devices to manipulate harmful emissions of automobiles.
• For those who have sensitive skin, platinum is the best jewelry for you because it is hypoallergenic. This is one reason why platinum earrings are so popular.

Where Platinum Is Found

Since this metal is so rare, the majority of it is only found in South Africa and Russia. You need to mine eight tons of ore before you can make an ounce of pure platinum.

How Is Platinum Used

Well, it is a widely used metal and it has different applications.

• Jewelry making
• Watch making
• Electric and heat conduction
• Manufacturing dental, medical, and laboratory materials
• Used also for coating the nose of missile cones

History of platinum

Platinum can be found in soil sediments. There had been evidences that ancient civilizations already used it as part of their daily lives, but didn’t know what to call it. In the year 1557, Italian humanist Julius Caesar Scaliger was able to produce first a European reference that contains descriptions on the said metal. He described it as “no fire has yet been able to liquefy”—this is because the melting point of platinum is one thousand seven hundred seventy four degrees in Celsius and three thousand two hundred twenty five degrees in Fahrenheit. But originally, it was the Spanish explorers who discovered it in 1538. They called it “Platina” because it resembles silver which they called “Plata”. People way back didn’t know what to do on platinum, so they only used it or pots and pans without knowing the value of it. Platinum only became popular especially in jewelry making in the 1900’s.

Prestige

Today, the prestige of platinum is way better than gold, silver, and bronze. Credit cards, record award, and other advertisement consider platinum as the highest rank. So consider a platinum engagement ring as a way to tell your love she is the most valued relationship you have and want to have forever.

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