Earth contains a molten iron core. The iron swirls, creating a magnetosphere and shielding the planet from dangerous radiation. During the planet's formation, certain transition metals bonded with the iron that sunk to the core, leaving very little in the eventual crust. Volcanic eruptions, plate tectonics, and asteroid collisions replenished these rare metals to the crust in small quantities.

Some of these rare metals are known as the platinum group, the densest metals in existence. Metals like gold and silver became coinage and adornments in early civilization. People (alchemists) even tried, unsuccessfully, to turn non-precious metals into these before nuclear physics was known. Later, discoveries came of platinum, osmium, iridium, rhodium, and palladium. Their extreme rarities overshadowed the regal gold, especially when technology found use for them.

Though much of gold's use remains for jewelry and bullion, supply-and-demand has continued to drive prices for the others. Silver has medicinal value and is the best conductor of electricity. The platinum group hold their strength and act as chemical catalysts.


10ozt Silver Bar

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