Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of Platinum, Zinc, White Gold and Other White Precious Metal Scrap
Are you an expert about metals?
Good, but let’s start today’s post with a simple-sounding question that is harder to answer than it seems . . .
What do all metals have in common?
Remember, we’re asking this question about all metals, not only about precious metals. And here is the answer:
All metals have a color.
In fact, that is about the only trait that all metals have in common. Some metals conduct electricity well, others don’t. Some are very hard, others are not. Some tarnish, others don’t. Some are extremely rare, others can be found every easily. Some blend easily with other metals to form alloys, others combine with only a few other metals. The list of differences goes on and on. But the fact is, all metals possess a color. Some are white, others yellow, others golden in tone.
But of all the colors that metals can have, white (or silver-toned) is the most interesting to think about. And white-toned metals are the most likely to be misunderstood, incorrectly identified, and worse.
So for today’s post, we put together a simple-looking quiz that is only about white metals. It is harder to pass than you might expect. But sit down, devote a half hour to it, and let’s see how you do.
Question One: Aluminum doesn’t conduct electricity. o true o false
This is false. Aluminum is actually a good conductor of electricity. So good, in fact, that aluminum wiring was once used in homes as an alternative to copper. The problem was that it tended to catch fire in places where resistance to current flow was relatively high. And since home wiring that bursts into flames is not a good idea, its use was discontinued.
Question Two: Even though silver is cheap when compared to other white metals, it is still worth investing in. o true o false
This is true. Even though silver is trading at low prices, wise investors can still make a good amount of money by finding and recycling silver scrap. Why? Because silver is common, smart investors can buy large quantities of it and receive a good return for their investment dollars.
Question Three: Stainless steel is an alloy of iron and zinc. o true o false
This is also false. Stainless steel is a steel alloy that contains chromium and carbon. Chromium is there to help prevent the alloy from tarnishing.
Question Four: White gold can be 14 karat, 18 karat, or any other karat rating. o true o false
This is true, up to a point. White gold is an alloy made up of regular old yellow gold that has been mixed with a white metal like silver, nickel or palladium in order to lend it a white color. The only complication is that 24 karat gold is pure, 100% gold. That means that 24 karat gold cannot be white gold; it can only be pure, yellow gold.
Question Five: Platinum is an alloy of white gold and aluminum, hence the name, which ends in “-um.” o true o false
This is false. Platinum is a pure white metallic element that is found in its pure state in nature.
Question Six: No white metal can tarnish. o true o false
This is false. Granted, platinum, palladium, aluminum, stainless steel, and other white metals resist tarnishing. But at least one white metal – silver – tarnishes very easily. That explains why every supermarket sells little tubs of silver polish.
Question Seven: Platinum can be extracted from catalytic converters. o true o false
This is true. Depending on their size, most automotive catalytic converters contain a few grams of platinum. Cat converters also can contain small quantities of palladium and rhodium, both precious metals too.
Question Eight: Zinc is often used to make jewelry. o true o false
This is true. (We bet we fooled more than a few of our readers on this one!) An alloy of zinc that blends the metal with nickel is used in inexpensive jewelry and is sometimes called Tibetan Silver. And let’s not forget that brass, which is used to make more jewelry than you might expect, is an alloy of copper and zinc.
Question Nine: Aluminum isn’t used to make jewelry because it is just too cheap to appeal to people. o true o false
This is pretty much false. Aluminum has a lot of characteristics that make it excellent for jewelry. It can be melted and cast into all kinds of complex shapes. And it doesn’t tarnish when it is in contact with the skin (even though some people find contact with aluminum irritates their skin). The main reason aluminum isn’t used in jewelry is that it is too soft and prone to abrasion. If you put on a brand new aluminum ring and wear it for only one day, chances are it will pick up some scratches and scrapes. Just look at the bottom of those aluminum pots and pans in your kitchen and you will see what we mean.
Do You Need to Have Your Questions Correctly Answered about Investing in Platinum Scrap and Other White Metals?
Just call our precious metal recycling consultants at 800-426-2344. We are here to give you 100% correct answers to all your questions about investing in white precious metals.