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Platinum is a fundamental metal for both industry and jewelry. Thanks to its unique properties, it is used in high-tech industrial processes as well as in the creation of exclusive jewels. Its growing adoption, also supported by advanced machines for platinum processing (such as cold rolling mills for wires and strips) is opening new business opportunities for companies aiming to stand out with innovative and high-value products.
Platinum: definition, characteristics and properties
With the symbol Pt, platinum is a noble metal belonging to the PGM group (also known as Platinum Group Metals). It is distinguished by its white-silver color, density (21.45 g/cm³) and a very high melting point (1768 °C): its remarkable resistance to oxidation, corrosion and chemical agents makes it one of the most valuable and versatile metals in the world.
The market value of platinum also lies in its unique chemical and physical properties: platinum acts as a natural catalyst, capable of accelerating numerous reactions without being consumed, a quality that makes it indispensable in high-tech fields.
The main sources of platinum are mines in South Africa, Russia and North America, which account for almost all global production. Although its price may fluctuate according to industrial demand, platinum remains less expensive than gold yet more prestigious and durable than silver, placing it in a strategic intermediate range for many applications.
Lastly, platinum belongs to the family of PGMs (Platinum Group Metals), which also includes palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium and osmium. When used in platinum alloys, these metals further expand the possibilities of application, ranging from many different industrial sectors to the creation of high-end platinum jewelry.
Industrial use of platinum: components and technologies
Platinum owes much of its value to its extraordinary catalytic activity. Thanks to the heterogeneous catalysis, it provides a surface on which chemical reactions take place more quickly and at lower temperatures, without the metal itself being consumed.
Platinum catalysts can take different forms: powders, nanoparticles supported on carbon (Pt/C) or metallic wires. The latter finds direct application in oxidation reactions, such as butane combustion, where the heat generated triggers a self-heating phenomenon that keeps the platinum wire incandescent.
Another example is the Ostwald Process, where platinum makes possible the production of nitric acid, a key element for nitrogen fertilizers. Similarly, platinum powders and nanoparticles are widely used today in the synthesis of plastics, sealants and lubricants.
Its role is also central in the automotive sector. Inside catalytic converters, platinum transforms carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons into less harmful substances. In modern vehicles, the Lambda sensor incorporates platinum electrodes to monitor oxygen in exhaust gases and ensure proper engine performance.
Resistance to extreme temperatures and chemical inertia also make platinum suitable for the production of platinum electrodes, platinum thermocouples and precision sensors. In addition, it plays a key role in hydrogen fuel cells, where platinum catalyzes the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, enabling the production of clean energy without emissions.
Illustration of the internal structure of a catalytic converter. Source: Corriere della Sera
Platinum in jewelry: advantages, trends and applications
In the jewelry sector, platinum is gaining ground as a strategic alternative to gold and silver, which are increasingly subject to strong price fluctuations. Although it is a rare metal, platinum maintains a more stable and competitive value compared to gold, offering significant advantages that make it highly appreciated in jewelry and watchmaking.
In recent years, several companies in the jewelry industry have shifted part of their production toward platinum and its alloys, not only as a response to market dynamics but also as a strategic choice to offer more durable and exclusive products.
The platinum used in jewelry typically has a purity of 950‰, higher than 18-carat gold. As a result, a piece of platinum jewelry proves to be more resistant, retains its brilliance over time and is less prone to corrosion or surface defects. The density and hardness of platinum also make it ideal for processing wires and strips through tandem rolling mills.
Thanks to these characteristics, platinum is suited for many applications: chains, rings, bracelets and earrings. Even in the most delicate productions, such as chain links for fine platinum jewels, the metal ensures maximum robustness and dimensional precision.
Platinum processing machines: INVIMEC cold rolling mills
The production of platinum wires and strips for jewelry requires highly precise technical processes. Cold metal rolling is particularly effective: it consists of passing the metal through a series of rolls that gradually reduce its thickness and diameter, not only to achieve the desired shape but also to increase hardness, strength and surface finish.
Cold rolling is essential for the quality of the jewel: in the case of platinum wires and strips it ensures consistent dimensions, high solidity and greater durability, factors that are indispensable for a precious product intended for frequent use.
In this field, INVIMEC is an international reference point. The company designs and manufactures cold rolling mills for both precious and non-precious metals, allowing precise and custom platinum processing of wires and strips with the highest conformity.
With decades of experience in cold working, INVIMEC provides dedicated machines and integrated production lines that combine efficiency and quality, supporting jewelry companies that choose to focus on the most ambitious materials.
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