Platinum

a heavy metal of a tin-white color. The name is derived from the Spanish and means silvery. Platinum may be hammered into thin sheets and drawn into slender wire. It is not inclined to unite with other elements but forms alloys with metals readily. It melts only at an exceedingly high temperature-3200 deg. F. Platinum crucibles and spoons are considered indispensable in the chemical laboratory. Platinum occurs in most gold-bearing gravels, but, as it does not amalgamate with mercury, it is difficult to collect. California and Oregon produce small quantities. The world's supply has been derived for centuries chiefly from the Siberian side of the Ural mountains, where it is associated with iron. Colombia exports platinum. Other producers are Brazil, Borneo, Australia, and New Zealand. The market value of platinum varies from $4 to $15 an ounce. Russia used to employ platinum alloy in hardening gold for coinage, but it is now too valuable for that purpose. Platinum pins are used to fasten artificial teeth to the plate, as it is the only metal that will stand the heat of baking. Platinum wires are used in electric lamps. Platinum is also in some demand for filling teeth, in photography, and in jewelry. An authority writing in 1903 states that the world uses 16,591 pounds a year. The Urals produce 10,500 pounds; other regions, 2,000. The deficit is made up by the use of old platinum. See Ductility