What is Platinum?
Platinum is found dispersed around the world often as a compound with other metals particularly nickel and iridium. However, it is found in greatest quantities in Peru, Columbia, South Africa, Russia and Canada.
It is classed as a noble metal which means it is resistant to tarnishing and corrosion. Platinum is soft and malleable, which makes it easy to shape. A special feature of this precious metal is that it is ductile, which means it is easy to stretch into wire. This metal is unreactive, so it doesn't oxidize and is unaffected by common acids.
This metallic element has a number of uses aside from a jewellery material, including its use as part of dental crowns, combined with cobalt to make magnets, it is also an element of surgical tools and component of anti-tumour agents.