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What Is Platinum?

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Platinum is a metallic element with the atomic number 78 and the symbol Pt. On the periodic table of elements, it is found in Group 10 and in Period 6 between iridium and gold. It is referred to as a “transition metal.” It is also one of the “platinum metals,” along with iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium, and ruthenium.

Platinum is a malleable, ductile element. Described as grayish-white in color, its name comes from the Spanish platina, which means “little silver.” Platinum is one of the so-called precious metals, along with gold and silver.

South Africa is the world's largest producer of platinum.
South Africa is the world's largest producer of platinum.

Although known and used in South America by pre-Columbian Native Americans, its first mention in European literature was probably the oblique reference to a metal found between Mexico and Darién in 1557 by Julius Caesar Scaliger, a French scholar of Italian background. It was further documented in the 1730's by Spaniard Antonio de Ulloa, an astronomer with a French expedition to Peru.

Platinum is rarely mixed with sulfur.
Platinum is rarely mixed with sulfur.

Usually found mixed with other metals, including iridium, nickel, or osmium, or more rarely, arsenic or sulfur, platinum occurs worldwide, but is primarily mined in Canada, Colombia, Peru, Russia, and South Africa. About 30 tons (27.2 metric tons) per year are produced. Iridium may be added to form an alloy.

Although many people many know platinum for its use in jewelry — which is how over 90 percent of it is used, platinum has a number of other uses. It is used in electroplating, as a catalyst in catalytic converters for automobiles, in the making of crucibles, in dental crowns, and — combined with cobalt — to make magnets.

Palladium is one of the platinum metals.
Palladium is one of the platinum metals.

Special uses include the production of standard weights and measures—the international standard for the kilogram is 90 percent platinum, and the Standard Hydrogen Electrode definition also includes platinum. In medical settings, it is used in making dental crowns, surgical pins, and surgical tools, as well as being employed as an anti-tumor agent.

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to AllTheScience about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

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Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to AllTheScience about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

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Discussion Comments

Heavanet

Though platinum jewelry is pretty and often given as a 70th anniversary gift, I don't think that it is as shiny or luminous as white gold.

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    • South Africa is the world's largest producer of platinum.
      By: Loic LE BRUSQ
      South Africa is the world's largest producer of platinum.
    • Platinum is rarely mixed with sulfur.
      By: wlad074
      Platinum is rarely mixed with sulfur.
    • Palladium is one of the platinum metals.
      By: uckyo
      Palladium is one of the platinum metals.
    • On the periodic table of elements, platinum has the atomic number 78, and the symbol Pt.
      By: jelena zaric
      On the periodic table of elements, platinum has the atomic number 78, and the symbol Pt.