Chapter 5: Noble Metals

Chapter 6

Unlike base metals, noble metals are resistant to corrosion and oxidation. They are rare metals and are often very expensive. Their rarity and value is one of the reasons that we are often inspired to practise and experiment with alchemy. The ability to transmute common, inexpensive metals into those that are more valuable (and have different magical properties) has long appealed to wizards and Muggles alike.

This chapter will look at some of the important noble metals. Remember to be certain that you know what you are working with BEFORE applying magic (or Muggle science) to each metal.

Gold

Melting Point: 1064°C

Boiling Point: 2970°C

Density: 19.32 g/cm³

Celestial Body: Sun

Organ: Heart

Gold has long been admired by humans and is the ultimate goal in alchemical transmutation. Golden artefacts have been dated as far back as 4200-4600 BC. A wide variety of cultures have used gold in a number of capacities. Gold has been used as money, in jewelry, as a medicine, as a decoration in various decorating styles (such as medieval manuscripts), and in modern Muggle electronics.

Platinum

Melting Point: 1772°C

Boiling Point: 3,825°C

Density: 21.45 g/cm³

Celestial Body: N/A

Organ: N/A

Platinum is a highly valuable and malleable metal. Its name is derived from the Spanish platita, meaning 'little silver'. It has several uses in the modern, Muggle world including jewelry, lab equipment, electrical contacts, and catalytic converters.

Pre-Columbian South American natives used platinum in alloys, and the first account of European contact with platinum was during the 16^th century. The 18^th century saw lots of European experimentation with platinum. The fascination with platinum, its properties, and the ways it could be used in alloys continued. Even to this day it is highly prized and used in several alloys.

Ruthenium

Melting Point: 2334°C

Boiling Point: 4,150°C

Density: 12.45 g/cm³

Celestial Body: N/A

Organ: N/A

Ruthenium is part of the platinum group of metals and is very rare. Most of its use is due to its wear-resistant nature in things such as electrical contacts. It is generally used in alloys that include other platinum group elements.

While Ruthenium was found in the naturally occurring platinum that was used by South American natives in pre-Columbian times, it wasn’t until the mid-18^th century that platinum was identified as an independent element. While there was a prior claim to fame, which was later withdrawn, in the discovery of Ruthenium and a near miss, it was Karl Klaus, a German scientist, who identified the element in 1844.

Silver

Melting Point: 961°C

Boiling Point: 2162°C

Density: 10.49 g/cm³

Celestial Body: Moon

Organ: Brain

Silver occurs naturally both in its pure form and in alloys. It has the highest electrical conductivity of all the elements and the highest thermal conductivity of all the metals. As a valuable metal, sometimes folks will try to sell other metals as silver. There is a simple spell to test the silver – Magis Magnetico. When the spell is cast on real silver, the item will lift off the ground.

Silver has been used for thousands of years. It has been used in currency, jewelry, silverware, dishes, medicine, electronics, photography, and so much more. From the Roman Empire to the Chinese Empire, silver was historically valued as a form of payment, and, in the middle ages, silver items, such as buttons, were often inventoried and passed down through generations.