Platinum is an incredible metal we have covered often on this blog. This precious metal is a critical resource within the medical industry and has many uses in technology, jewelry and manufacturing. As a result, platinum is in high global demand – making it a great asset to invest in or sell.
You may be interested in learning how to find and recycle any spare platinum. Luckily, there’s plenty of it to go around. In this post, we’ll describe 4 places that can prove useful for finding platinum scrap.
#1: Jewelry Factories & Workshops
Jewelry factories that repair or produce platinum jewelry can be a great source of platinum scrap. Often, it can be found in floor dust, bench sweepings, and “squiggles” that are made when platinum is produced on machinery. We advise our clients not to discard any dust or powder in their workshops, as it may be more valuable than you think. Finding platinum in broken jewelry is easier yet. Silver-looking jewelry marked with a “pt” indicates with certainty that it’s made from platinum.
#2: Lab Equipment
Lab equipment like crucibles, tweezers, forceps, and triangular metal stands are frequently made with platinum. This is because the precious metal is heat-resistant and inert, making it so the lab equipment is heat-resistant and does not react with any chemical substances. Although old equipment may be discolored, it still contains platinum.
#3: Thermocouple Wires
While you may not have heard of thermocouples, they are also a good source of platinum. Thermocouples are thin wires used to monitor or remotely measure temperatures. Many manufacturing processes and equipment like stoves and air conditioning use these wires. Some thermocouples may even indicate they are made of platinum with a “pt” marking.
#4: Catalytic Converters
It is no secret that catalytic converter thefts are on the rise, and there is good reason for it. Catalytic converters are made with a mixture of rhodium, platinum, and palladium, all valuable precious metals. This can be a good option for those who repair cars or have access to junk cars. Catalytic converters can be worth up to $200, making it a possible side business for those who work with vehicles regularly. Just make sure you attain these converters using legal means.
Reeling In The Platinum
Although it is a precious metal, it is not impossible to find platinum if you know where to look. Take note of the resources you have access to and see if you can find a good source of platinum.
