Precious Metals | Gold, Silver, Platinum & Titanium

Metallurgy

The word "Metal" is derived from the Greek word metallin "to search after", from the Greek word metallon and from the Latin word metallum which both mean "mine or metal." Metals are divided into two main groups: "Ferrous" and "non-Ferrous." Ferrous metals contain Iron and Non-Ferrous metals are "Nobel" or "Precious Metals," Base Metals, and Light Metals.

Noble Metals

The noble metals or precious metals would include: Gold, Silver, and the Platinum metal group (platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium, and ruthenium). These metals are considered "noble" primarily because of their corrosion and oxidation resistance and their chemical stability. The noble metals are also extremely rare and prized for their suitability for jewelry making and other crafts.

The physical characteristics of elemental metals such as gold and silver are described as:

• Plastic: The metal can be bent and worked without rupturing (not brittle).

• Malleable: The metal can be compressed, deformed, extruded, hammered, and rolled.

• Ductile: The metal will permit plastic elongation (wire drawing) without fracturing.

Base Metals

Base metals are found in great abundance throughout the earth's crust. Base metals include: aluminum, copper, lead, mercury, nickle, tin, and zinc.

Light Metals

The term "Light metals" refers to any metal that has a low density and light weight. These types of metals would include: aluminum, magnesium and titanium.