Where is platinum found in the United States?

5) USA – 4.1mt

The country owns two platinum producing mines including the Stillwater Mine, located in Nye, Montana, and the East Boulder Mine, which is located by Big Timber, Montana. The Stillwater platinum/palladium mine is in the Beartooth Mountains, 130km southwest of Billings, Montana.

Where are the largest deposits of platinum?

Almost all of it, some 90 percent, is located in the Earth's crust of South Africa. Far behind it, other major countries are Russia, Zimbabwe, the United States, and Canada. The United States is estimated to have platinum metal reserves of some 900 metric tons.

What kind of rock is platinum found in?

Platinum usually occurs as disseminated grains in ironand magnesium-rich igneous rocks and in quartz veins associated with hematite, chlorite, and pyrolusite. When rocks weather, the heavy platinum accumulates as grains and nuggets in the resulting placer deposits. Crystals are rare, but when found they are cubic.

Where do you find natural platinum?

Platinum is found in its pure native form or in platiniridium, a natural alloy of platinum and iridium. Platinum is present in thin sulfide layers in certain mafic igneous bodies and is mined in Canada, Russia, South Africa, the USA, Zimbabwe and Australia.

Does the US produce platinum?

Stillwater Mining Company (NYSE: SWC) is a palladium and platinum mining company with headquarters located at Littleton, Colorado, United States. It is the only palladium and platinum producer in the USA.

Where to find platinum nuggets - identify platinum nuggets - Geology of platinum deposits and ores

Are there any platinum mines in the US?

5) USA – 4.1mt

The country owns two platinum producing mines including the Stillwater Mine, located in Nye, Montana, and the East Boulder Mine, which is located by Big Timber, Montana. The Stillwater platinum/palladium mine is in the Beartooth Mountains, 130km southwest of Billings, Montana.

How much is platinum worth in USA?

The price shown is in U.S. Dollars per troy ounce. The current price of platinum as of February 17, 2023 is $920.00 per ounce.

What does raw platinum look like?

Platinum is a metallic white to silver-gray colour. Its streak is a shiny silver-gray. Crystals, if found, tent to be distorted cubes. Platinum has a very high specific gravity.

What does platinum look like when it comes out of the ground?

Crystal Structure of Platinum

Crystalline platinum can appear flaky or dendritic; alluvial specimens will appear as waterworn nuggets. Unlike other precious metals, platinum does not belong to the copper (gold) group but to the platinum group elements (usually labeled just as PGE).

Will a magnet pick up platinum?

The quick answer is no, Platinum on its pure form is not magnetic (a paramagnetic metal). It is also hypoallergenic, which means that it will not react to sweat, will not tarnish, nor corrode.

How can you tell if a rock has platinum in it?

Use a magnet to determine that metal is not platinum.

Platinum is not magnetic. Therefore, if the piece you are testing is attracted to a magnet, you will know it is not platinum. If you notice a slight magnetic pull, it is more likely that the metal is white gold mixed with nickel.

How can you tell if a stone is platinum?

Our Expert Agrees: When you're testing for platinum, you scrape a little piece of the jewelry on a stone, then you drop nitric hydrochloric acid on it. If the line stays, it's platinum. If it dissolves, it's not.

Is platinum better than gold?

Is Platinum Better Than Gold? Platinum lasts longer and can require less upkeep than gold. It's pure, hypoallergenic, and a classic option. However, gold is more malleable, scratch-resistant, and affordable.

What is more expensive gold or platinum?

Price. Platinum: Despite being nearly identical in appearance, platinum is more valuable than gold. Platinum's high price point can be attributed to its rarity and density as precious metals are often priced by their weight.

How much platinum is left in the ground?

Total worldwide reserves of platinum group metals are estimated to be some 70,000 metric tons. Almost all of it, some 90 percent, is located in the Earth's crust of South Africa.

Should I scratch platinum?

Even platinum which is naturally a heavier and harder metal than gold will be prone to scratches and scuffs.

Where can I find platinum nuggets?

Platinum is typically found in Precambrian ultramafic igneous rocks, but there are also some Pt-bearing placer deposits in Canada, Colombia, and Russia.

What happens when platinum is scratched?

Platinum is very durable. When scratched, the scratch actually displaces the metal, leaving ridges on the edges of the scratch. This is where durability comes in. Whereas other precious metals, if scratched, lose metal, and thus wear down, Platinum does so at a much slower rate.

Is diamond worth more than platinum?

Diamonds are expensive. Diamonds cost more than gold or platinum.

What makes platinum so valuable?

Platinum is a light gray metal between silver and nickel, and it's harder than both silver and gold. Platinum is valuable because it's rare and it's used in many items. Nearly two thirds of the supply comes from South Africa, and Russia is the second-largest supplier. There are very few North American platinum mines.

How many grams of platinum are in a catalytic converter?

Although the quantities vary by model, on average, only one standard catalytic converter contains about 3-7 grams of platinum, 2-7 grams of palladium, 1-2 grams rhodium.