There is not one but several reasons that a platinum anniversary ranks higher than a gold anniversary. The namesake metal is notoriously difficult to mine, as it lies well below the Earth’s surface and is an increasingly rare commodity in the world we live in today.
What Makes Platinum Rarer Than Other Precious Metals?
When it comes to rarity, platinum is in a league of its own. Unlike gold or silver, platinum is found in far smaller quantities—so much so that all the platinum ever mined would barely fill a typical living room. Gold mining, by comparison, yields nearly 14 times more metal each year than platinum production manages worldwide.
On top of that, platinum deposits are often buried deep beneath the Earth’s surface, making extraction both challenging and costly. This scarcity and mining difficulty have earned platinum its reputation as the “rich man’s gold” among collectors and jewelers alike.
In saying that, it is also difficult to melt and reuse this platinum once it’s set in jewelry, which explains why it resells at a lower price than gold jewelry.
Although the world’s platinum reserves are depleting faster than its gold reserves, many have yet to grasp how valuable they might become in the foreseeable future.
Sell your jewelry online for a fair price, but first, check out the following facts about your platinum items.
1. Platinum is (Not Quite) a South American Discovery
An Italian scholar, poet, and physician called Julius Caesar Scaliger is often credited with discovering platinum because his writings contained references to the metal. Scaliger wrote about platinum, describing it as a metal that wouldn’t melt in 1557.
But platinum’s story starts long before Scaliger ever put pen to paper. Archaeologists have discovered traces of platinum used in Egyptian burials dating back to 1200 BCE—yes, you read that right, ancient Egyptians were already working with this stubborn metal while the rest of the world was still fixated on gold. Pre-Columbian civilizations in South America, such as those in the La Tolita Culture (600 BCE to 200 CE), also left evidence of platinum in intricate artifacts and ceremonial objects.
The metal would take another two centuries to reach Europe, where scientists from Britain, Sweden, France, and Germany would examine it.
It’s ironic, then, that for so long, Europe and Asia were largely unaware of platinum’s existence. When the Spanish conquistadors eventually encountered platinum in South America, they saw it as little more than an annoying impurity mixed with gold and silver—frequently discarding it as worthless! (One can only imagine the collective gasp from future metallurgists.)
Further exploration would bring the scientific community to the realization that platinum was used long before they ever discovered it. They based this conclusion on the traces left by the pre-Columbian civilizations.
2. Platinum, aka ‘Little Silver’
Since platinum was discovered in a Spanish colony, it was derived from the Spanish word ‘Platina,’ meaning ‘little silver.’ The ‘little’ in this context stands for inferior, which is how the Spanish colonizers initially saw platinum. They realized the error of their ways soon enough when they tried—and failed—to melt the metal.
Not soon enough, however, as platinum was used to deceive people into thinking they were buying silver. Did we describe a victimless crime?
Platinum was platina until 1812, 71 years after it was formally recognized as an element. The metal earned the -ium ending around the same time as all the periodic table elements were homogenized.
How Pure Is Platinum Jewelry Compared to Gold?
When you look at the labels on platinum jewelry, you’ll notice they’re typically much higher in purity than their gold counterparts. Most pieces are crafted using 85% to 95% pure platinum, making them the purists’ dream among precious metals. In contrast, 18-karat gold jewelry—often considered high-quality—contains just 75% gold, with the remainder made up of other alloys.
Interestingly, platinum jewelry isn’t officially designated as “platinum” unless it contains at least 80% pure platinum. This higher threshold sets platinum apart. If you’re after a metal that’s as close to its natural state as possible, platinum truly takes the crown—at least in the world of jewelry.
The Platinum Group: More Than Just Platinum
Platinum doesn’t travel alone on the periodic table—it belongs to an exclusive circle known as the platinum group metals, or PGMs for short. Joining platinum in this prestigious lineup are palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium, and ruthenium. These six metals are commonly found together in mineral deposits and share a host of similarities: think remarkable durability, resistance to corrosion, and a knack for making chemists swoon.
Each PGM brings its own set of unique properties to the table (some are vital for catalytic converters, others show up in electronics or even fountain pen nibs), but they’re all coveted for their versatility and strength. Next time you admire a platinum ring or heirloom, remember it’s part of a tight-knit metallic family that’s been quietly shaping our world for centuries.
3. Platinum is Ideal Heirloom Material
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines an heirloom as an object handed down from generation to generation. The assumption is that this item last long enough to be handed down to at least one generation.
Platinum makes the perfect heirloom material because it ticks the durability box. Here’s a fun fact about platinum: As a noble metal, it is resistant to oxidation and acids. Although very susceptible to scratches, this metal will not tarnish or rust for a long time.
4. Platinum is a Lifesaver
Do you know how gold is often used in dental products like crowns and dentures because it’s noncorrosive and nontoxic? Well, so is platinum. The two metals share some similarities, making them interchangeable in some contexts.
Take platinum’s applications in the field of medicine, for instance. It has good electrical conductivity and is less hypoallergenic than gold and other noble metals. Therefore, it is used in pacemakers as biological electrode material.
Platinum is also incorporated in stents, defibrillator implants, catheters, and as an antitumor agent in chemotherapeutic drugs, making them all the more precious as an industrial metal.
5. Platinum is Out of the World!
Platinum is a rare commodity on Earth, with reserves mined in the following countries:
South Africa
Russia
Zimbabwe
Canada
United States
How Platinum Production Stacks Up Against Gold
Just how rare is platinum when compared to gold? To put things in perspective, the world mines almost 14 times more gold each year than platinum. In fact, for every ounce of platinum unearthed, dozens more ounces of gold are pulled from the ground. This scarcity—and its labor-intensive extraction process—has led to platinum earning a reputation as the “exclusive cousin” in the precious metals world, reserved for those who seek rarity over popularity.
Where is Platinum Found in the United States?
While most of the world’s platinum is unearthed in South Africa and Russia, the United States has contributed its fair share—though on a much smaller scale. The primary source of platinum stateside is the Stillwater Complex in Montana, a geological formation renowned for its rich deposits of both platinum and its close cousin, palladium. Over the years, U.S. production has declined, but Montana’s mines remain the main hub for domestic platinum extraction. Smaller quantities have also been found scattered throughout riverbeds and alluvial deposits, but the bulk comes from deep within Montana’s rugged landscapes.
Where Does Platinum Hide? Earth’s Alluvial Stash
While platinum might sound like something out of a Bond villain’s treasure vault, its earthly origins are far less secretive—if a bit more elusive. Platinum is most commonly found in alluvial deposits, which are essentially natural catchments created by flowing water over millennia. Think riverbeds, ancient floodplains, and delta regions—nature’s own hidden vaults for precious metals.
The world’s leading platinum stores are often extracted from deep beneath the soils of South Africa and Russia, though smaller quantities also trickle in from countries like Canada, Zimbabwe, and the United States—particularly from Montana’s famed Stillwater Complex. These sites yield not only platinum, but also its close cousin, palladium, keeping geologists and jewelry lovers alike on their toes.
However, the hegemony of these platinum producers may see an end, what with platinum reserves being discovered in space. Moon rocks and meteorites have unrefined platinum in their crust. With the first two missions set to refine platinum, it’s only a matter of time before we find this extraterrestrial metal in our jewelry.
However, the hegemony of these platinum producers may see an end, what with platinum reserves being discovered in space. Moon rocks and meteorites have unrefined platinum in their crust. With the first two missions set to refine platinum, it’s only a matter of time before we find this extraterrestrial metal in our jewelry.
Is Platinum Truly Stardust? New Views from Space
We’ve long believed platinum has out-of-this-world origins—literally forged in the heart of massive cosmic explosions like supernovas and neutron star collisions. For years, this was the story: these extraordinary events spewed heavy elements, including platinum, across the universe, ultimately gifting Earth its rare treasures.
But recent stargazing has added a twist worthy of a sci-fi plot. In 2022, astronomers pointed the legendary James Webb Space Telescope at what they dubbed the “Brightest of All Time” gamma-ray burst (GRB)—an epic celestial fireworks show caused by a supernova. Here’s the kicker: scientists expected to find traces of platinum and gold in the aftermath but came up empty-handed. Not a single shimmering hint.
Dr. Peter Blanchard, leading the analysis, explained that their observations suggest this particular type of powerful cosmic event might not be responsible for creating platinum after all. While this doesn’t rule out all stellar explosions, it does open the door to new questions about where our platinum truly comes from. As future space missions continue to peer deeper into the universe, perhaps the answer will—quite literally—come from the stars themselves.
Platinum: Born from the Stars
Ever wondered where the platinum in your favorite jewelry actually came from? As it turns out, this rare metal has quite the origin story—one that begins lightyears away from Earth. The prevailing scientific theory suggests that platinum, along with other heavy elements like gold, was formed during cataclysmic cosmic events such as supernovae and the dramatic collisions between neutron stars. When these massive astronomical bodies explode or collide, they unleash incredible energy, forging heavy elements and scattering them across the universe.
These cosmic leftovers eventually became part of the dust and rock that formed our planet. So, that treasured platinum ring on your finger? It’s a bit of literal stardust, passed down over billions of years and unfathomable distances. Scientists are still unraveling exactly which stellar fireworks are most responsible for seeding Earth with precious metals, and new discoveries (like recent observations with NASA's James Webb Space Telescope) continue to add intrigue to the story. Whether from ancient cosmic explosions or another dazzling corner of the universe, one thing’s for sure: platinum’s journey to your jewelry box has been nothing short of extraordinary.
6. Platinum for a Greener Future
Did you know platinum is directly responsible for reducing toxic gas emissions from automobiles? A little over half the platinum refined yearly is used in catalytic converters. Since platinum melts at 3,225 degrees Fahrenheit, it can withstand the high temperatures inside these converters, reducing carbon emissions.
But that’s just the tip of the catalytic iceberg. Platinum is prized as a highly effective catalyst because it’s both reusable and extremely efficient. In the world of automobiles, platinum acts as the unsung hero inside catalytic converters, where it helps transform toxic gases—like carbon monoxide—into less harmful substances, such as carbon dioxide. According to Total Materia, nearly half of all the platinum mined worldwide finds its way into these vehicle emission-reducing devices.
When mulling over your decision to sell platinum jewelry online, remember that its underlying metal might be melted and repurposed in these catalytic converters for a cleaner environment.
Giving Platinum a Second Life
When platinum jewelry or industrial products have outlived their original use, their story doesn't end in a dusty drawer or landfill. Thanks to modern refining and recycling processes, platinum is carefully recovered and purified, ready to begin a fresh chapter.
Here’s how it happens: old or unwanted platinum items are collected and sent to specialized refiners. Through a combination of chemical and melting techniques—think of it as an industrial spa day—the platinum is separated from other materials and restored to its pure, gleaming state. Once refined, this revitalized metal is reintroduced to the market, ready to become anything from a shimmering heirloom ring to a lifesaving medical device.
Why does this matter? Unlike many materials, platinum’s rarity means every gram counts. Recycling ensures this precious metal remains in circulation, supporting sustainable practices and reducing the need for new mining operations. And with platinum’s increasing roles in green technologies and healthcare, keeping this resource in motion benefits not just jewelers and collectors, but the planet as a whole.
7. Why Recycling Platinum Matters
With all this talk of platinum’s rarity and immense value, it’s only fitting to pause and consider what happens when it’s no longer needed in your jewelry box or catalytic converter. Platinum isn’t just precious in terms of cost—it’s a limited natural resource tucked away in just a few corners of the world and, as we’ve learned, even hiding out in space rocks.
So, why recycle? When platinum is recycled, it doesn’t go to waste. Instead, it gets cleaned up, refined, and transformed for a future life—perhaps as part of a new ring, medical device, or environmental technology. This process means less reliance on mining (which is famously tough on the planet), and helps ensure that every last bit of this hard-to-come-by metal is put to good use. In short:
- Recycling reduces the need for new mining, protecting fragile ecosystems, especially in places like South Africa and Russia.
- It ensures platinum continues its journey—maybe from a cherished heirloom to a life-saving stent, and beyond.
- It keeps a closed loop, supporting sustainability and giving this “little silver” yet another chance to shine.
By making platinum recycling a habit, we’re not just honoring a precious metal’s many lives—we’re also playing our part in preserving its magic for the generations (and maybe even civilizations) to come.
7. Platinum is Vulnerable to Household Chemicals
Platinum is a funny metal; it can take the kind of heat not fit for life on Earth but crumbles under substances like sulfur, chlorine, halogens, and caustic alkalis.
You can keep it under the sun, in humid weather, and even wear it on your beach swims—it will not corrode. However, household substances have a knack for getting under this metal’s skin.
8. Platinum Makes a Better Investment Option
While platinum jewelry costs the buyer a prettier penny than gold jewelry, its high melting point doesn’t do you any favors when reselling it. Don’t get us wrong: Platinum is a stunning investment, but not so much as jewelry as coins and bullion.
You could diversify your portfolio by investing in the precious metal. The supply deficit would work in your favor, as Astro Platinum is still years away. If you want to make quick cash instead of tying up your wealth in metals, you can always sell gold jewelry to online buyers like Gold to Cash.
Trust our 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot, and apply for a free appraisal kit today. Receive the highest offer on your silver, platinum, or gold jewelry online, and accept it to accept cash in your preferred payment option within 24 hours.
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