Platinum is not an alloy.
Platinum is typically separated from other metals using a process called chemical precipitation or smelting. These methods involve using chemical reactions or high temperatures to extract pure platinum from its ore or alloy.
PLAT refers to jewelry that is made of at least 95% pure platinum. PT950 indicates that the jewelry is made of 95% platinum and 5% alloy metal for durability. Both symbols signify that the jewelry is of high quality and valuable.
One common alloy used in jewelry and tableware is sterling silver. It is a mixture of 92.5% silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. This alloy is known for its durability, shine, and affordability.
The standard meter bar of Paris, also known as the metre des archives, is made of the platinum-iridium alloy. This bar was used as the standard definition of the meter from 1889 to 1960.
Platinum is not an alloy.
Platinum was discovered by South American peoples who produced artifacts of a white gold-platinum alloy.
Is platinum a base metal or an alloy? What are its uses besides in jewlery? Where is it found generally and geographically? Why is it so dear?
It is possible to mix gold and platinum together to create an alloy known as white gold. This alloy typically contains a mix of gold, platinum, and other metals such as nickel or palladium. The proportions of each metal used can vary to achieve the desired color and properties.
From what i have read, it is an alloy of nickel and silver. It was a cheaper substitute to a gold or platinum class ring. Similar to platinum it can withstand acids, but that is where the similarities end.
The oldest and most common jewelry alloy for platinum is 90% platinum, 10% iridium. You'll see various stamps, the most common maybe is 10% Ir Plat or something like that. Occasionally it's all spelled out, too. A newer alloy is 950 platinum, where the other 50 is usually cobalt. Usually that is stamped 950 Plat. or 950 Platinum. Those are the two most common, anyway.
Yes, most steel is harder than pure platinum. Steel is an alloy of several different elements. If you were to add alloying elements to Platinum, it would become harder as well.
Platinum-iridium
Mixing gold with platinum can create a unique and durable metal alloy that combines the beauty of gold with the strength and durability of platinum. This alloy is often used in making jewelry to enhance its properties and create a distinctive look. It can also help increase the overall value of the piece due to the precious nature of both gold and platinum.
980 is most likely a silver alloy rather than platinum. Platinum is generally marked as 950 or 900 to indicate its purity, while silver alloys typically range from 800 to 950 in terms of purity.
Platinum bond brass is an alloy made by bonding platinum with brass, a combination of copper and zinc. The platinum layer provides a durable and corrosion-resistant finish to the brass, creating a unique and high-quality material often used in jewelry-making.
Platinum is not "made" out of anything, the way bronze or steel are made out of stuff. Platinum is an element, not an alloy. That means you can break platinum down to single atoms, and it is still platinum. It is not created out of molecules (which are combinations of different elemental atoms). It's atomic weight is 78, and its chemical symbol is Pt.