Yet the fact is, platinum is heavier than either gold or silver. It is about 60% heavier than gold, which is a pretty heavy metal too. And gold, depending on its karat rating (and what other metals are mixed with it) is about 30% heavier than silver. So a small portable jeweler's scale can help you recognize platinum.
Platinum is roughly 60% more dense than gold. This is the reason why the same design in Platinum will be heavier than gold. Although gold can be considered stronger in the sense of it being harder to bend, the density of Platinum and its unlikelihood of wearing away from daily wear gives it the advantage.
Platinum is the heaviest of all the precious metals weighing approximately twice as much as karat gold. Its purity makes it hypo-allergenic, perfect for people who are sensitive to the alloys used in gold.
The answer is gold, which is why smaller gold objects feel heavier when compared to silver objects of the same size. Density or specific gravity depends on the size of the nucleus of the atoms.
Is platinum more valuable than gold? Platinum is generally valued higher than gold. This is because platinum is rarer than gold, has a higher density and is purer. Platinum rings require more platinum than gold rings require gold, which can increase the overall cost.
Though both gold and platinum are strong and durable precious metals, platinum is the more durable of the two. This is a result of platinum's extreme density and chemical structure.
When it comes to investments platinum is not necessarily better than gold, though neither is it worse. Each has a price that moves independently to the other, depending on the economic conditions at the time. As such, sometimes platinum will perform better than gold, and other times gold will make more gains.
(Fun fact: Real gold is not magnetic.) Fake gold, on the other hand, will stick to the magnet.
The elements osmium, iridium, rhenium, neptunium and plutonium are also heavier than gold.
METAL HARDNESS
According to the Vickers scale, in order from softest to hardest, are sterling silver, 9ct gold, 18ct gold, palladium then platinum.
For starters, gold is far more abundant in the earth's crust, making platinum rarer. Whilst 1,500 tons of gold are mined annually, only 160 tons of platinum are extracted.
The rarest stable metal on Earth is Tantalum (Ta). Named after Tantalus, a wicked Greek mythological figure who was the son of Zeus, tantalum is an incredibly tough, heavy and hard metal that's blue-grey in colour and the rarest stable element found in our solar system.
Generally platinum is not magnetic. However, it depends on the platinum alloy: if the platinum is mixed with ruthenium, iridium or palladium then no, none of these are magnetic; if it's mixed with cobalt then yes, cobalt is magnetic so, theoretically, platinum can be attracted by a very powerful magnet.
Pure platinum is a lustrous, ductile, and malleable, silver-white metal. Platinum is more ductile than gold, silver or copper, thus being the most ductile of pure metals, but it is less malleable than gold. Its physical characteristics and chemical stability make it useful for industrial applications.
To be considered platinum, a piece must contain 95% or more of the metal, making it one of the purest precious metals you can buy. Over time, platinum will fade in a different way. It won't turn yellow, like yellow gold; but, it will begin to lose its shiny finish and build a natural patina (more on this in a bit).
does platinum tarnish? No. Platinum will not change color or fade over time, unlike some other metals.
Platinum metal is biologically inert, whereas soluble platinum compounds (e.g., halogenated salts) encountered in occupational settings can cause platinum salt hypersensitivity with symptoms that include bronchitis and asthma after inhalational exposure and contact dermatitis after skin exposure.
Tungsten and platinum are the heaviest jewelry metals.
Gold is a very soft metal, so scratching it with a hard object like ceramic will leave a golden or a yellowish streak. On the other hand, fake gold is often made of metals that are darker in color, so you'll see a dark streak instead.
You can also fill a cup or glass with white vinegar, and drop your gold in it, let it soak for 5-8 minutes, take it out and rinse with water. If the metal has changed its color even slightly, then the gold is not pure but if it keeps shining, then the gold is pure.
Some investors may want to prioritize stability and long-term investing. In that case, gold is likely the better option. The precious metal has a longstanding history of reliable demand which often spikes during economic downturns. On the other hand, platinum usually performs better during times of economic growth.
Platinum Tends to Have a Poor Resale Value
According to The Economic Times, platinum, in general, has a poor resale value. The main reason is because a relatively small number of people are willing to buy it.
Durability. Although platinum and gold are both strong precious metals, platinum is the more durable of the two. The prongs holding the center gemstone of a platinum ring are much less likely to break compared to those of a gold engagement ring.