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Platinum, as precious metal is relatively young compared to other valued metals such as gold or silver. Since ancient times, gold and silver has always been valued as symbols of wealth; signs of prosperity that are reserved for kings and pharaohs. And platinum, unlike gold and silver, was considered to be an ordinary metallic element since it was difficult to dissolve, melt because of its extremely high melting point and fashion to be used in various applications.
The discovery of platinum dates back to the 16th century in South America when Spanish Conquistadors first arrived. In 1557, a written record made by Julius Caesar Scaliger, an Italian Humanist, indicates the discovery of “an unknown noble metal that cannot be melted by fire.” During this time however, the study of metallurgy was not yet fully established and methods for correctly melting and refining platinum were still to be discovered.
By the 18th century, science was already taking hold of developments in different fields and it was the same for the study of platinum. Several scientists have taken notice of the high melting point of platinum and its above average resistance to corrosion. For sever years, many scientists have tried to melt platinum with different yet unsuccessful methods.
However in 1751, a researcher named Sheffer in the country of Sweden was able to successfully melt platinum just by the use of arsenic. He also documented platinum as a new kind of element. This discovery was just the start for other scientists and researchers to gain more understanding of platinum and its characteristics.
By 1782, the first true melting of platinum was discovered. A scientist named Lavoisier used Oxygen, which was also recently discovered at the time, for the melting process. It would eventually take another 25 years before practical uses of platinum were derived from the said method. Platinum was first used for decorative purposes on porcelain as well as for making laboratory instruments.
By the next century, the further developments in science and technology have started to embrace this research with more fruitful discoveries. During 1802, the refinement process was developed and this resulted in the discovery of palladium. In the following years, other metallic elements within the platinum metals group such as osmium, iridium and rhodium were discovered as well.
The discoveries of these metals prompted scientists like Percival Norton Johnson of England to began working on how to refine these platinum derived elements. And in 1851, together with his then partner George Matthey, perfected the method of separating and refining these platinum metals. And both went on to create the standard metre of platinum and iridium.
Though platinum is considered to be a recent discovery compared to gold and silver, its history reveals its development in melting and refining procedures encompassed more than a century before finally achieving its current techniques. And as more technologies are being developed for mining and refining there will be more improvements that will contribute for its future uses.
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