Platinum
Pt
Platinum is a mineral recognized among collectors for its crystal form and distribution, with known Chinese sources.
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.