Why Stuff that Doesn’t Glitter Could Be Platinum
Although platinum doesn’t rust or oxidize, it can discolor after it is exposed to high heat in laboratories. That bluish patina can be deceiving. You look at a discolored piece of thermocouple wire or a testing crucible or a stand that was used in the lab and think, “this discolored stuff can’t possibly be platinum.”
The discolorations that affect used platinum mesh or sponge can be even more deceiving. They can be reduced to a blackish powder that you’d be tempted to sweep up and toss away.
Don’t Toss Platinum, Call Us at 800-426-2344 to Recycle
Even when the platinum items described above have gotten discolored or reduced to powder, they can still be worth a lot of money. One reason? Even when discoloration or fragmentation has taken place, platinum usually does not lose any of its original weight. Even if it looks dented, discolored, or worthless, it isn’t. In our precious metal refinery, platinum quickly comes back to life as a bright, shiny, corrosion-resistant precious metal.
Don’t Toss Tongs, Crucible Stands or other Peripherals Either
Shown: Platinum sponges like these contain a high percentage of pure platinum which Specialty Metals can profitably recycle for your company. Image Courtesy of ChemicalReagent.com
They are usually made of platinum or platinum alloy, for a very good reason. When a hot platinum crucible comes into contact with any metal that is not platinum, the crucible can be damaged. So even small tongs or racks that look tossable can be worth a lot more than you suspect.
If You’re Dealing with Used Lab Equipment, Call Us Now
Whether you work in a testing laboratory or are in the process of emptying one, don’t make the mistake of tossing platinum. Because it is trading at high prices, recycling it is well worth your time and effort. Call us at 800-426-2344. We will test your used items for you, tell you what you have, and pay you quickly. Sound like a smart move? It is. Call us today.
Related Posts:
Easy-to-Miss Places where Platinum-Plated Metals Can Be Found
Where Can You Find Thermocouples? A Quick Checklist for You
Look for Precious Metals where Heat and Metals Meet
3 Things You Probably Never Knew about Platinum Sponges