by
Jake Stevenson
http://www.emporia.edu/earthsci/amber/go340/Stevenson
| Earth Science Department 
|
Table of Contents
Platinum was not always used for jewellry making, because of its rarity. In
fact the art of using platinum was lost for nearly two millennia. It was
not until Spanish Conquistadores traveling in the new world that platinum
got its name. Platina which means "little silver" in spanish.
Misunderstanding the value and a thirst for gold and silver the
conquistadores threw the metal back into the rivers of Ecuador.
Not until 1751 when Swedish scientist Theophil Scheffer catergorized
Platinum as a precious metal did it come into favor with Royalty, when it
was declared the only metal fit for kings.
Also because of its resistance to weathering platinum is the world standard
for weights and measures. Marc Eltienne Janety was tasked, shortly after
the French Revolution, with creating a standard kilogram weight out of
platinum, because platinum would not corrode thus altering the weight. Major discoveries since have lead to the widespread use of platinum. In
1824 the Ural Mountains in Russia were found to contain significant amounts
of Platinum. 100 years later Hans Merensky found the largest deposit in
South Africa. (Precious Platinum) Platinum is so rare that it is thought the the amount of platinum that
has ever been mined could fit into a small room Below is a platinum nugget which has been stream rounded
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With a melting point of 1772 degrees Celsius Platinum is very difficult
to work with, but this extreme temperature gives you a clue as to how
durable this metal is. With enough tensile strength to secure a diamond in
place with only two prongs. Platinum is rated at 14 (annealed condition
kg/mm2) according to the International Platinum Association.
Atomic Number- 78 Atomic Weight- 195.08 Streak- Grayish White Platinum is nearly twice as dense as lead and about 11% more dense than
gold Though thought off mostly for jewellry, that industry only contributes
to about 40% of the platinum use in the world. 37% goes into catalytic
converters with the other 23% being used in industrial applications such as:
Dental/Medical Fields, Electrical, and Oil Refining. (International Platinum
Association)
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The public now thinks of Platinum as the best become metal for jewellry
and because of this it will only continue to grow in popularity. There are
many "elite" companies in the jewellry business that carry exclussively
platinum for its white metal engagement rings. Below is a picture of a
stunning Platinum ring from Tiffanys.
Introduction
Platinum is one of the most sought after of the precious metals in
jewellry. Mainly because of its brilliance and physical properties. Use of
platinum in jewellry can be traced back to the Kings of Egypt where in 700
BC the daughter of King Thebes, a high priestess, was buried in a ornate
sarcophagus covered in Platinum and Gold. (Precious Platinum) 
Contents
Observations
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References
Platinum, The Magic Metal http://www.metalsmiths.com/platinu.html.
Retrieved on 19 April, 2005.
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