Platinum is the 78th element in the periodic table, and is represented by the symbol Pt. Solid formations of platinum are a greyish-white metal. Much like gold, platinum is a precious metal because of its aesthetic and scientific qualities.
Early History
Pre-Columbian South American natives were the first known people to refine and use platinum. It was not until Spanish explorers colonized the New World that platinum became known to the western world. The first documented European record of platinum was written in 1557 by Julius Scaliger.
Platinum Jewelry
References
Fast Facts
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Atomic number
78
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Atomic symbol
Pt
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Fact:
Pure platinum is a greyish-white color
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Fact:
Metal is resistant to heat and corrosion
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Fact:
Metal is an excellent conductor of electricity
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Melting point
1,947.52 degrees Fahrenheit (1,064.18 degrees Celsius)
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Fact:
First used by pre-Columbian natives in South America
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First discovered by Europeans
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Price (2008)
$2,035 per ounce
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Fact:
More than twice as expensive as goldKitco: Live Market Quotes
