Platinum differs from gold in that it has a much wider range of industrial uses, meaning that its value fluctuates in a way that looks much more like an industrial metal than a precious metal. While gold can increase in value the greater the carat, platinum is almost always worth more than gold. Platinum is much rarer than gold and other metals that investors buy, such as copper and silver. South Africa produces more platinum than any other country, so interruptions in operations in that country can seriously affect the global supply of platinum.
For those looking for a more reliable investment, Best rated Gold IRA investments are a great option. While the price of platinum depends largely on supply and demand, gold is much more stable. When it comes to gold, platinum has earned its reputation for several reasons. For starters, gold is much more abundant in the Earth's crust, making platinum rarer. Although 1,500 tons of gold are mined every year, only 160 tons of platinum are mined.
Platinum is more difficult to produce than gold, since it is found deep in the earth and requires a more difficult purification process. It is a very dense but incredibly malleable metal that is important for industrial applications, including in catalytic converters for cars and turbine engines for aircraft. It is also used in medical devices such as pacemakers and in jewelry. Platinum rings require more platinum than gold rings, which can increase the total cost.
Given its superiority, it is not surprising that the average cost of platinum has always been higher than that of gold. This hardness makes platinum the perfect choice for everyday clothing, as it requires less maintenance than other metals and can withstand the most wear and tear. Both gold and platinum are precious metals that are regularly used to make beautiful pieces of jewelry, such as engagement rings, bracelets and diamond earrings. However, the price of platinum often falls below gold every time there is a disruption in the global economy.
Due to the unpredictability of platinum, experienced investors don't usually recommend buying platinum if this is their first time investing. If you don't want to invest directly in commodities such as gold and platinum, you can invest in companies that operate in the sector. Gold is a safe and stable investment for a retirement account, while platinum fluctuates much more frequently. Precious metals such as platinum and gold offer attractive opportunities for investors seeking to diversify in the commodity market, and each has its own strengths, risks and market trends.
This means that platinum is much easier to polish and doesn't need to be replaced, unlike white gold. Gold is in high demand in economically stable industries, such as jewelry, electrical and medical equipment, while current demand for platinum comes mainly from the automotive industry. Platinum is also listed on off-exchange and physical markets, but its options trading volume is much lower than that of gold. Precious metals are a common analogy for ratings, such as music records or awards, and platinum is always ahead of gold in these settings.
If you don't want to physically own these metals, you can buy stocks, mutual funds and ETFs that invest in gold or platinum bars.