| Facts about Platinum
Platinum is a chemical element that has the symbol Pt and the atomic number 78. A heavy, malleable, precious, grey-white metal, platinum is resistant to corrosion and occurs in some nickel and copper ores. Platinum is used in jewelry, laboratory equipment, electrical contacts, dentistry and in cars to reduce the exhaust emissions, as well as for the tips of spark plugs. Platinum appears silvery-white when pure, and firm. Platinum's wear and tarnish-resistant characteristics are well suited for making fine jewelry and is more precious than gold. Platinum normally costs slightly less than twice the price of gold. The Spanish named the metal 'platina' or little silver, when they first encountered it in Colombia. They regarded platinum as an unwanted impurity in the silver they were mining, and often discarded it. If only they had known. The frame of the crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, manufactured for her Coronation as Consort to King George VI is made of platinum. It was the first British crown to be made of platinum. |