Rare and Valuable Metals
Precious metals are those elements that occur very scarcely in nature and in addition to being rare, they are also in high demand in the economic and industrial markets. Usually, these precious metals don’t have much reactivity when exposed to other metals and also do not melt easily despite being heated to high temperatures. Originally, precious metals were used in making coins as a form of currency. Gold, silver, platinum and palladium are the four most important valuable precious metals.
The palladium precious metal, which is silvery white and lustrous in appearance, was first seen by William Hyde Wollaston. The name is derived from the asteroid Pallas. Rhodium, osmium, ruthenium and Iridium along with palladium form the platinum group of metals as they show characteristics similar to the precious metal platinum.
Platinum and palladium precious metals are used in a wide range of industrial applications as a key component.
Platinum is very rarely found on the crust of the earth and is known as a transition element with a dense and gray-white look. It is mostly found as ores of nickel and copper and can be located in South Africa. This is the place where nearly 80 percent of the platinum available today, has been found. It does not corrode easily even at high temperatures and is termed as a noble element. It is largely found in its native state along alluvial river banks and was originally used to make artifacts.
Both the above precious metals can be used to make electrical contacts, catalytic converters and also in dentistry and as jewelry. Their scarcity makes them very much in demand and it is also used in a number of industrial applications. For instance, the precious metal platinum is found in electrodes and also in resistance thermometer. A Platinum compound, Cisplatin is made of use of in chemotherapy as it can help to combat certain forms of cancer.
In the field of jewelry, the precious metal platinum is mainly used because of its non-tarnishing qualities and also its sturdiness and resistance. Additionally, it also possesses some electrical characteristics and can be put to industrial use too.
Looking for a precious metals provider that sells silver, gold and platinum coins and bullion? Click here to visit our favorite provider (FREE SHIPPING!).
References:
http://ounceofgold.net/how-many-grams-in-one-ounce-of-gold/
http://priceofpalladium.net/
Precious metals are those elements that occur very scarcely in nature and in addition to being rare, they are also in high demand in the economic and industrial markets. Usually, these precious metals don’t have much reactivity when exposed to other metals and also do not melt easily despite being heated to high temperatures. Originally, precious metals were used in making coins as a form of currency. Gold, silver, platinum and palladium are the four most important valuable precious metals.
The palladium precious metal, which is silvery white and lustrous in appearance, was first seen by William Hyde Wollaston. The name is derived from the asteroid Pallas. Rhodium, osmium, ruthenium and Iridium along with palladium form the platinum group of metals as they show characteristics similar to the precious metal platinum.
Platinum and palladium precious metals are used in a wide range of industrial applications as a key component.
Platinum is very rarely found on the crust of the earth and is known as a transition element with a dense and gray-white look. It is mostly found as ores of nickel and copper and can be located in South Africa. This is the place where nearly 80 percent of the platinum available today, has been found. It does not corrode easily even at high temperatures and is termed as a noble element. It is largely found in its native state along alluvial river banks and was originally used to make artifacts.
Both the above precious metals can be used to make electrical contacts, catalytic converters and also in dentistry and as jewelry. Their scarcity makes them very much in demand and it is also used in a number of industrial applications. For instance, the precious metal platinum is found in electrodes and also in resistance thermometer. A Platinum compound, Cisplatin is made of use of in chemotherapy as it can help to combat certain forms of cancer.
In the field of jewelry, the precious metal platinum is mainly used because of its non-tarnishing qualities and also its sturdiness and resistance. Additionally, it also possesses some electrical characteristics and can be put to industrial use too.
Looking for a precious metals provider that sells silver, gold and platinum coins and bullion? Click here to visit our favorite provider (FREE SHIPPING!).
References:
http://ounceofgold.net/how-many-grams-in-one-ounce-of-gold/
http://priceofpalladium.net/