Platinum

Platinum is one of the precious metals, prized for its rarity, density and resistance to corrosion. In nature it occurs mainly as the native metal — usually as small grains, flakes and nuggets, often alloyed with other platinum-group metals and iron.

Identifying native platinum

Native platinum is silvery-white to steel-grey with a bright metallic lustre, very heavy (high density), malleable, and only weakly magnetic when iron-bearing. It has a hardness of around 4–4.5 and shows no cleavage.

Where it is found

The great primary source is the Bushveld Complex of South Africa, a layered igneous intrusion; platinum is also famous from the placer deposits of the Ural Mountains in Russia, and from Colombia and Canada. Natural nuggets and crystals are rare and highly prized.