What Are The Five Precious Metals?

Rhodium

The most valuable of all precious metals is rhodium. This silvery-colored metal is extremely rare and is used commonly for properties of being able to reflect. It has a very high ability of being able to tolerate corrosive objects without getting affected and has a melting point that is quite high. The largest producers are Canada, Russia and South Africa.

Platinum

Platinum is next in line among the precious metals and is known for being non-corrosive and dense. It has become popular for being very malleable. This metal is not unlike palladium in the way it withstands hydrogen in vast amounts.

Gold

Coming in third is gold,. When it comes to investment options, gold remains to be the most popular among metals. It is malleable, durable and desirable. It is separated by panning and mining from minerals and rocks that surround it. The largest producers are China, Australia, the United States and South Africa.

Palladium

This is a precious, whitish-gray metal that is considered valuable because of its stability, malleability and rarity under conditions that are extremely hot. At room temperature, it is able to absorb vast amounts of hydrogen. Car makers depend on it to reduce emissions due to its ability to be catalytic converters.

Silver

Lastly, but certainly a favorite for many, silver has the best thermal and electrical conductivity as well as the lowest resistance for contact among the other precious metals. Chile, Mexico, Italy, China and Peru are the biggest producers of silver.