Platinum (Pt) is one of the most treasured metals in the world. Known for its durability, rarity and luster, platinum is a symbol of luxury and exclusivity. It isn't always that way. To medieval Spanish Conquistadors it a junk metal rendering gold impure.
It occurs in some nickel and copper ores along with occasional native deposits, mostly in South Africa, where it's discovered in 1906. Now 80% of the world's platinum supply comes from South Africa. In science platinum is considered the purest metal.
Today platinum is known for:
Rarity: Platinum is rarer than gold. For every 10 to 20 tons of gold mined, only one ton of platinum is extracted.
Perceived Financial Value: Due to its rarity and desirable properties, the price of platinum fluctuates, but it is often more expensive than gold and silver.
Gleaming Color & Resistance to Corrosion: The pure form of platinum has a natural silver-white color that does not tarnish or fade, unlike some other precious metals.
Resistance to Acids: Like gold, platinum can't be dissolved in most acids including sulfuric acid or nitric acid. It will dissolve in aqua regia, a mix of nitric and hydrochloric acid.
Cultural Significance: Once platinum gains financial value it's used in various cultures as a symbol of wealth and status. It's a common metal for royal crowns and ceremonial artifacts.
Origins of Platinum
Platinum's name derives from the Spanish term "platino," meaning "little silver," indicating the metal's shine and resemblance to silver. Early Incas of South America use platinum, finding it with gold especially in placer deposits. Platinum also alloys happily with gold.
By c 1200 BCE Egyptians use platinum in gold alloys, though it's not clear whether they know it's an alloy. In ancient times there are "types" of silver and gold, some with more desirable properties than others. For example quicksilver is thought by many to be a type of silver.
By 700 BCE the Egyptians are actively working with platinum. Traces of smelting are found. A sarcophagus at Thebes bears platinum in some of the hieroglyphs. The Renaissance alchemy symbol of platinum is a crescent moon (silver) connected to a circle with dot (sun, gold).
In early alchemy Maria the Jewess attributes genders and anthropomorphic characteristics to various metals based on their behaviors. Like crystals metals are seen as living elements by the alchemists of Alexandria. They aren't yet perceived as inorganic chunks of matter.
In antiquity and medieval Europe, silver and gold alloys are known in such natural formations as electrum, the material of the first coins c. 7th century BCE. Despite its presence in the Old World, platinum's true identity is unknown.
European invaders of the New World dismiss it as an inferior form of silver. Little do they know the quantities of gold they ship home are abundantly alloyed with platinum. When they find out, they're enraged and order the useless metal thrown into the sea.
While to the Conquistadors these natives are intellectually inferior, the people have the last laugh. They know well the difference between gold and platinum, having used the silvery metal for centuries to make ornaments.
History of Platinum
Indigenous people in South America, particularly the pre-Columbian civilizations of the Andean region, use platinum in ceremonial objects as early as the 7th century. Platinum is not considered a precious metal until the 18th century.
In 1735 Swedish chemist Henrik Persson is first to describe platinum. Spanish scientist Antonio de Ulloa and his colleague, Jorge Juan y Santacilia, identify platinum as a distinct element in 1748.
In 1751 French scientist Charles Wood also discovers it as a distinct metal. Wood produces small quantities by smelting ores containing platinum, and reveals its silvery-white sheen.
The true acknowledgement of platinum as a noble (non-corrosive) metal occurs in 1803. British chemist William Hyde Wollaston isolates platinum by refining it through a series of processes.
He's credited with a significant advancement in the use of platinum for jewelry and scientific instruments, marking the metal’s integration into mainstream use. The platinum industry booms in the 19th century.
Placer deposits, containing native platinum and platinum alloys, are concentrated in sand and gravel beds. These beds form as old rock erodes from its origin and breaks into smaller pieces that are carried by water into streams and rivers.
Russia is the primary location for most of the world's placer platinum. In the 19th century, significant mining takes place in the Ural Mountains targeting alluvial deposits. These deposits are depleted ore and today contribute less than one percent to Russia's platinum production.
Platinum is mined as an ore, or obtained as a by-product when ores of other metals, such as copper and nickel, are refined. With clever marketing, one person's waste product is another's wedding ring. There's much to be said for slag.
To extract mineral-rich materials underground, miners pack explosives into holes drilled in the rock. This blasts the rock into smaller pieces when are taken for processing.
Properties of Platinum
Density: Platinum is one of the densest metals, with a density nearly 2.5 times that of gold. This gives platinum jewelry a substantial feel and weight that many find appealing.
Corrosion Resistance: Platinum is highly resistant to oxidation and corrosion, even at high temperatures. This makes it ideal for both industrial applications and fine jewelry, as it retains its beauty over time.
Malleability and Ductility: Platinum is exceptionally malleable and ductile, allowing it to be shaped and stretched into thin wires without breaking. This property makes it valuable in various industries, including electronics and dentistry.
Catalytic Properties: Platinum is a highly effective catalyst, which means it can accelerate chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. This is particularly useful in catalytic converters in vehicles, where it helps convert harmful emissions into less harmful substances.
Hypoallergenic: Unlike some other metals, platinum is hypoallergenic. This makes it an alternate choice for jewelry, especially for people with sensitive skin, though it's a lot more expensive than nickel, the metal causing epidermal reaction.
Platinum's resistance to corrosion and high melting point have made it a common element in various industrial processes, including catalytic converters and fuel cells. Platinum melts at 1,768 °C (3,214 °F), higher than most metals.
Atomic Brilliance
Platinum's atomic number of 78 places it among the heavy elements on the periodic table, endowing it with unique properties. Its atomic structure confers durability and stability, allowing platinum to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh chemical environments.
Alloys and Applications
Platinum is often alloyed with other metals to enhance its properties. One of the most renowned platinum alloys is with iridium, creating a synergy that reinforces durability and hardness, ideal for applications requiring strength and resilience.
Beyond its allure in the world of fashion and luxury, once-worthless platinum plays a pivotal role in various scientific and industrial fields:
Catalysts: Platinum is a catalyst in many chemical processes, including the production of nitric acid and various hydrogenation reactions in organic chemistry.
Electronics: Due to its excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion, platinum is used in the manufacturing of electrical contacts and connectors.
Medical Equipment: Platinum is biocompatible, making it suitable for use in medical devices, such as pacemakers and other implants.
Laboratory Equipment: The metal is often used to make laboratory equipment because of its ability to withstand high temperatures and reactive chemicals.
In the mid-19th century, platinum becomes a noble metal on the new periodic table. In the later 19th century, metal and jewelry merchants begin selling platinum as a precious metal.
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