Exotic Metals

These rare chemical elements are a most sought after commodity. Although they were first used as a symbol of wealth and a standard of monetary units, their use today has grown into a multitude of applications.

Gold has been used from the beginning of recorded history as ornamentation (jewelry, necklaces, etc.) and as a standard of wealth. Because of its unique properties it can be used in many applications besides its role as a monetary investment. Gold does not oxidize meaning it does not rust. In its purest form gold is very malleable and combines with many other metals to become alloys. It is used in electronics due to its electrical conductivity. Gold is also used in the field of Dentistry. The United States Military Services were one of the first dental practitioners to regularly use gold instead of silver as fillings.

Platinum is another precious metal that has many applications as an investment and in the industrial sector. Platinum and gold are basically used in the same ways. The difference is that the price of Platinum is directly affected by its industrial use. For example, if the demand for the industrial use of platinum is high the price per ounce sky rockets. If the demand slows the price plummets. This is the major reason that platinum is a weak investment as compared to gold. Having similar properties to gold, it is manufactured for many of the same applications. It is used in coins, electronics, and dentistry. Platinum can also be readily mixed with base metals to create its own family of alloys.