Platinum

Platinum, rhodium, palladian -- three of the six separate elements in the platinum family -- are used for jewelry and decorative purposes. Platinum was in use for several centuries B.C., but a process to make it more malleable and workable was not discovered until 1804.

The color of the metal platinum is grayish white and resembles highly polished silver when finished. It is reasonably malleable and extremely ductile. The metal is softened with small percentages of silver or copper and is hardened when alloyed with iridium.

Like other metals, platinum work hardens and must be annealed to soften it to a malleable state. 

In addition to its use as a precious metal for jewelry, platinum is used for electric wires, contact points, dentistry, and photography. It is the only metal that will fuse with glass without breaking the glass, hence its value for use in X-ray and other electronic tube manufacturing..