The price of 1kg of platinum fluctuates constantly, but as of mid-January 2026, it ranges roughly from $73,000 to over $120,000 USD (or ~AUD $117k-$120k+), depending on the dealer, purity, form (bar vs. minted), and whether you're buying or selling, with APMEX showing around $73,500 USD for the spot price and ABC Bullion selling for over $120,000 AUD.
The price of platinum in Australia varies by dealer and product, but generally hovers around A$3,300 - A$3,400+ per ounce for spot/bullion (like ABC Bullion), while physical products have a premium, with 1oz bars selling for around A$3,500 - A$3,900 and smaller bars/coins priced higher per gram due to manufacturing, showing dynamic rates influenced by global markets.
Yes, platinum is generally more expensive than gold due to its extreme rarity, higher density (meaning more metal is needed for the same size item), and purity (used at 90-95% pure versus gold's 58.5-75% in jewelry). While gold prices can fluctuate, platinum's scarcity and industrial demand (like catalytic converters) often keep its price per ounce higher, though market shifts can sometimes see gold surpass platinum temporarily.
As of January 2026, the price for 1kg of silver in Australia typically ranges from around $4,200 to $4,400 AUD, depending on the supplier, bar brand (like ABC Bullion or Perth Mint), and purity, with sellers like ABC Bullion showing prices around $4,300-$4,400 for their 9995 purity bars and other dealers listing similar rates.
As of January 7, 2026 at 07:09 AM ET, the live Gold spot price for 1 ounce of Gold in U.S. dollars (USD) is $4,460.37, 1 gram of Gold is $143.40 and 1 kilogram of Gold is $143,404.23. Gold spot price can fluctuate by the second, driven by investment supply and demand, and other factors.
If you invested $1,000 in gold 10 years ago (around late 2015/early 2016), your investment would likely be worth significantly more today (late 2025), potentially in the range of $2,000 to over $3,000, reflecting substantial price appreciation, though less than the S&P 500 but outperforming during certain periods of market stress, acting as a hedge against uncertainty, with returns varying based on exact entry/exit points and premiums/spreads.
While some long-term predictions and bullish scenarios suggest silver could reach significantly higher prices, including $100, $500, or even $1000 an ounce, most analysts consider $1000 highly unlikely in the near term, with many expecting more modest gains (e.g., $60-$100) driven by industrial demand and supply shortages, though extreme hyperinflation remains a speculative path for much higher prices.
Made up of 99.9% silver and only 0.1% trace elements, 999 silver—often called pure silver—is the highest grade of silver you can buy. Uses: Typically used in silver bars, coins, and occasionally in premium jewellery pieces. Because it is pure, 999 silver is softer and more flexible.
The value of 1 kg of scrap silver changes daily with the market, but it's generally a bit less than pure silver due to impurities, ranging from roughly $1,500 to over $2,500 USD (or equivalent in other currencies), depending on the purity (like sterling .925 vs .800), market demand, and buyer's premium, with pure silver bullion (999 fine) around $2,500-$2,700 USD (or ~$3,750 AUD) for 1kg, so expect less for scrap.
But why do jewelers not like platinum? The answer lies in its unique properties that make it both a prized and challenging material to work with. Platinum is significantly denser than gold, making it heavier and more difficult to shape. This density also causes tools to wear down faster, increasing costs for jewelers.
Demand for Platinum is Much Less Stable than Gold
The biggest use of platinum is in the automobile industry in diesel cars, in catalytic converters by companies such as Volkswagen, and other industrial applications. Investment and jewelry use is of secondary importance in the price of platinum.
Platinum has a range of uses, including electronics, automotive industry, dentistry equipment, jewellery, and bullion. The biggest use of platinum however is as a catalyst. Catalysts are materials that speed up chemical reactions and reduce the energy needed to convert a substance.
Traditionally, platinum jewelry contained 85 to 95 percent pure platinum alloyed with other precious metals. In recent years, some platinum pieces have been alloyed with a larger percentage of non-precious base metals (like copper and cobalt).
For $1,000, you can buy roughly 20 to 35 troy ounces of silver, depending heavily on the current spot price (around $25/oz as of early 2026) and the premium (extra cost) you pay for specific products, with generic silver rounds offering more ounces, while government-minted coins (like Maples) or older 90% "junk" silver bags might yield fewer ounces but offer different benefits, like easier fractional trading.
Elon Musk expressed concern over rising silver prices and potential supply shortages in late 2025, stating, "This is not good. Silver is needed in many industrial processes," highlighting its critical role in EVs, solar panels, and electronics, especially with China's new export restrictions adding pressure. He emphasized that silver's scarcity, driven by rising demand and decade-long mine deficits, poses real challenges for the energy transition and technology manufacturing, making it an irreplaceable material.
Silver is called the "devil's metal" primarily by traders and investors due to its extreme price volatility, erratic charts with sharp swings, and unpredictable nature, making it risky, though it also has folklore ties to warding off evil spirits and a history tied to betrayal (Judas). Its market behavior, unlike gold's relative stability, often leads to massive gains or losses, earning it a mischievous, almost mischievous, reputation.
While the S925 stamp is a good indicator of real silver, it's essential to be aware that fake stamps do exist. Some counterfeiters may try to pass off their jewelry as genuine by stamping it with "S925" or other similar marks.
While the revenue generated from gold bars and silver coins is notable, Costco's foray into precious metals is about more than sales. It's a strategic move to strengthen its relationship with customers, particularly those who view gold and silver as long-term investments.
Yes, silver did skyrocket in 2025, experiencing a massive rally (gains of 127% to 147% according to various sources) driven by a perfect storm of low supply, huge industrial demand (EVs, AI, solar), a weakening dollar, and its dual role as an inflation hedge and strategic metal, breaking previous records and exceeding most analyst forecasts for the year. While analysts expected strong performance, the extent of the surge in 2025 was historic, with prices reaching over $70/ounce by year-end.
Buffett favors silver because it fulfills value investing principles, with its use in industrial and medical applications. Gold, largely used for jewelry, lacks the practical applications Buffett seeks in an investment.
Yes, gold is generally cheaper in Australia than in India, primarily because Australia is a major gold producer, leading to lower local prices due to reduced import needs and lower taxes/tariffs compared to India, which often adds import duties. While specific rates fluctuate, Australia consistently ranks among the countries with lower gold prices due to its domestic mining, making it a cheaper option for buying investment gold compared to India's higher duties, though India remains popular for its jewelry selection.
Gold could hit $5,000 an ounce in first half of 2026, says HSBC. Jan 8 (Reuters) - Gold prices could rise to $5,000 an ounce in the first half of 2026 on geopolitical risks and rising debt, HSBC said on Thursday.
For large-scale investors then, gold bars offer the cheapest option normally. For investors who prefer smaller units however, gold coins may be a better choice. part-selling which is often an effective way of getting a maximum return on investment.