Everything Everywhere Daily Platinum, Palladium, and Rhodium: The Other Precious Metals
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Apr 14, 2025 Discover the intriguing world of platinum, palladium, and rhodium—rarer and often more valuable than gold. Dive into their historical significance and the notable figures behind their discovery. Explore how these precious metals play a crucial role in emission control within catalytic converters, and learn about the alarming trend of catalytic converter theft driven by their high market value. This exploration unveils the hidden gems of the metal world, showcasing their unique qualities and industrial importance.
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Early Platinum Use
- Pre-Columbian South Americans used platinum alloys as early as 600 BC.
- The Spanish conquistadors later dismissed platinum as an impurity, calling it "platina" ("little silver").
Platinum's Introduction to Europe
- Antonia de Ulloa introduced platinum to Europe in the 18th century after a South American expedition.
- William Hyde Wollaston developed a purification method using aqua regia in 1803.
Platinum's Noble Status and Coinage
- Platinum, along with other metals in the platinum group, and gold, are called noble metals due to their corrosion resistance.
- Russia minted platinum rubles between 1828 and 1845, marking a significant use of platinum in coinage.