Disc Platinum
Platinum and Its Uses
Platinum has been making its way into American culture as the use of it in jewelry has grown substantially in the past ten years. If you have priced jewelry recently you know this precious white metal is even more costly than gold. So what is platinum and how long has it been around?
Platinum is a member of the ‘platinum metals’ family, along with ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, and iridium. Platinum jewelry dates back to Egyptian tombs in 1200 BC where it was imported from Nubia. In 700 BC, the high priestess Shepenupet was buried in a sarcophagus decorated in gold and platinum hieroglyphics. Platinum was also found in South America, dating back to 100 BC; the Incas created ceremonial jewelry from both gold and platinum.
In 1751, Theophil Scheffer, a Swedish scientist, recognized its unique properties and rarity and declared it a precious metal.
The metal started to gain popularity in industrial use because of its strength and that it was chemically inert. Soon, the metal was being used in gun parts, sophisticated batteries and fuel cells, in neurosurgical and dental apparatus and most importantly as an auto catalyst, converting harmful emissions into carbon dioxide and water.
Because of the metal’s ability to help the environment with its emission in catalytic converters, it soon became dubbed the ‘environmental metal.’ And with the growing concern around the environment and emissions, the demand for the metal continues to grow.
Although there have been many uses for platinum, mining the needed amount to meet demand has been difficult. Statistics state that between 5 and 6 million ounces of new platinum are reaching the world market each year, which is less than 5% of gold production. Much of the platinum that is mined comes from South Africa and Russia.
In the late 1990s, when platinum traded at a price close to gold, the U.S. Mint added Platinum Eagles to complement its Gold Eagles and Silver Eagles. Canada also produced a Platinum Maple Leaf and Australia minted the Platinum Koalas. The launch of the Platinum Eagle brought a near doubling in investment demand and the coin quickly became the most popular platinum coin in the world. Proof Platinum American Eagles, when first released sold out.
In 1999, the Chinese platinum jewelry market was also booming. The metal also became the most requested in the Japanese bridal market and later skyrocketed in North America.
Currently, platinum is also being used in electronic devices like iPods and computer hard discs. Asian manufacturers are using the metal to create flat-panel glass in computer and television screens.
With the strong demand for platinum, investors and consumers alike have driven up the price to almost double that of gold. With supply low and demand high, it seems the value of platinum won’t end anytime soon.
About the Author
BullionDirect is a leading online source to buy and sell precious metals, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium coins and bars. For more information please visit www.bulliondirect.com.
Namo Venkatesa Triple Platinum Disc Function – Venkatesh, Trisha
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Peter Pan (DVD, 2007, 2-Disc Set, Platinum Edition) $13.50 |
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Peter Pan (DVD, 2007, 2-Disc Set, Platinum Edition) $13.50 |
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Disney… Bambi (DVD, 2-Disc Set, Special Edition/Platinum Edition) $8.50 |
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The Greatest Classical Hits of Tchaikovsky (CD, Feb-1999, Platinum Disc) $0.99 |
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Monster-in-Law (DVD, 2005, 2-Disc Set, Platinum Series) $5.25 |
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Looney Tunes: Platinum Collection, Vol. 1 (Blu-ray Disc, 2011, 3-Disc Set) $44.88 |
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Cool Swingin Christmas (CD, May-2003, Platinum Disc) 3 Disc Set! VG 302192 $15.11 |
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Sleeping Beauty (Blu-ray Disc, 2-Disc Platinum Set) OOP Title 50Th Anniversary $9.99 |
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The Lion King (DVD, 2003, 2-Disc Set, Platinum Edition; Features an All-New Song $7.00 |
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Beauty and the Beast (Platinum DVD, 2002, 2-Disc Set, Special Edition) $12.99 |
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The Platinum Collection, Vol. 1-3 [Box] by Queen (CD, Sep-2002, 3 Discs,… $35.00 |
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Monster-in-Law (DVD, 2005, 2-Disc Set, Platinum Series) $7.00 |
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101 Dalmatians (DVD, 2008, 2-Disc Set, Platinum Edition) $15.00 |
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Monster-in-Law (DVD, 2005, 2-Disc Set, Platinum Series) $0.99 |
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101 Dalmatians (DVD, 2008, 2-Disc Set, Platinum Edition) $25.88 |
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101 Dalmatians (DVD, 2008, 2-Disc Set, Platinum Edition) $15.00 |
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OASIS – Platinum Disc- DEFINITELY MAYBE $134.36 |
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CROSBY STILLS NASH & YOUNG Platinum Disc- DEJA VU $134.36 |
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Bambi (DVD, 2005, 2-Disc Set, Special Edition/Platinum Edition) $20.00 |
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Pinocchio (DVD, 2009, 2-Disc Set, 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition) $27.49 |
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80′s Rock, Vol. 1 (CD, Jan-1998, Platinum Disc Corp.) $6.95 |
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80′s Rock, Vol. 2 (CD, Jan-1998, Platinum Disc) $6.95 |
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MOODY BLUES – 7″ Platinum Disc – GO NOW $102.75 |
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Sleeping Beauty (DVD, 2008, 2-Disc Set, Platinum Edition) $20.10 |
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Accordeon: Platinum Collection (CD, Mar-2008, 3 Disc… $22.99 |
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SMALL FACES – 7″ Platinum Disc – ALL OR NOTHING $110.65 |
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TALKING HEADS – 7″ Platinum Disc+cover- ROAD TO NOWHERE $118.55 |
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BILLY FURY – 7″ Platinum Disc+cover – LOVE OR MONEY $126.46 |
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SANDIE SHAW – 7″ Platinum Disc – LONG LIVE LOVE $102.75 |
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CROWDED HOUSE -7″ Platinum Disc+cover-DON’T DREAM IT’S $126.46 |
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[Bi_King] RST FIRST Air Platinum RLC Suspension Fork 100mm Disc & V-Brake White $289.00 |
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Tchaikovsky Overture 1812 CD, Platinum Disc Corp OOP $3.50 |
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THE TORNADOS 7″ Platinum Disc – TELSTAR $110.65 |
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[Bi_King] RST FIRST Air Platinum RLC Suspension Fork 100mm Disc & V-Brake Black $289.00 |
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T REX – 7″ Platinum Disc – JEEPSTER $118.55 |
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COMMODORES – 7″ Platinum Disc – THREE TIMES A LADY $102.75 |
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THEM – 7″ Platinum Disc – HERE COMES THE NIGHT $110.65 |
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CRISPIAN ST PETERS – 7″ Platinum Disc – THE PIED PIPER $110.65 |
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STONE ROSES – Platinum LP Disc – ”THE STONE ROSES” $181.78 |
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ALICE COOPER – 7″ Platinum Disc – SCHOOLS OUT $110.65 |
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ELTON JOHN – 7″ Platinum Disc – DANIEL $110.65 |
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CRISPIAN ST PETERS 7″ Platinum Disc YOU WERE ON MY MIND $110.65 |
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T REX – 7″ Platinum Disc – GET IT ON $118.55 |
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CYNDI LAUPER – 7″ Platinum Disc+cover- GIRLS HAVE FUN $118.55 |
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MICHAEL JACKSON – Platinum Disc LP & cover – BAD $205.49 |
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The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (DVD, 2003, 4-Disc Set, Platinum Series… $9.99 |
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THE WHO – 7″ Platinum Disc – SUBSTITUTE $118.55 |
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WALKER BROS -7″ Platinum Disc MAKE IT EASY ON YOURSELF $102.75 |
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THE YARDBIRDS – 7″ Platinum Disc – FOR YOUR LOVE $118.55 |
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U2/Ltd. Edition Cd Platinum Disc/BOY $158.05 |
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Cuisinart Prep Plus Food Processor A seamless blend of style and function. The brushed stainless finish adds an upscale touch to all kitchens-from contemporary to classic. The large capacity, powerful blades and discs, and simple touchpad controls make the Cuisinart 11-Cup Food Processor the ideal prep tool for any task. Making an entire meal from scratch has never been easier…and never looked better…. |
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Maxi-Matic HA-3433A Elite Platinum 550-Watt Stainless Finish Meat Grinder, Gray $89.29 500W power! Elite Food Grinder! Get the grind you want every time… this Elite Food Grinder operates to your precise specifications, even under heavy loads. From fresh game to the finest cuts of beef, you can now make the best sausage, meat loaf, stew and more all from the comfort of your own home. At a price you can’t get anywhere else, BIG BUCKS OFF original retail! The grind you can count on: … |
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Jaguar XKR Silverstone Photo Mugs car, Jaguar, XKR, Silverstone, Britain, British, England, English, UK, United, Kingdom, UK, United, Kingdom, Great, GB, Silver, platinum, 2000, 2000s,…. |
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Greatest Hits I, II & III – The Platinum Collection (3CD) $13.99 What once seemed Queen’s greatest liabilities–a preening flamboyance and pompous, overwrought theatricality–have ironically become their most enduring charms in a gray, postmodern pop-music landscape. While it eschews the glammy, pre-punk hard rock of live faves like “Stone Cold Crazy” and “Tie Your Mother Down” for the band’s more quirky club-beat string of latter-day hits, this 51-track triple… |
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My World 2.0 $5.19 Teen Island star Justin Bieber’s newest single, “Baby” featuring Ludacris is the newest single from his forthcoming album, MY WORLD 2.0. Justin just appeared at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards telecast on CBS-TV and joined fellow Def Jam artist Rihanna and an all-star cast of NFL players at the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam LIVE concert in South Beach televised on VH1. MY WORLD (released November 17t… |