ORE FEATURES
A Monthly publication of Ozark Rock Exchange
VOL 6: Issue 4, January 5, 2005
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ORE'S Featured Gemstone: Platinum by Stephanie Pflumm Platinum is one of the rarest elements available to humans. Traces of this precious metal show up in Mother's crust all around the planet. However the quantities are minute and extremely difficult to extract from the ore it's found in. Platinum is one of a group of elements frequently referred to as PGM (Platinum Group Metals). There are a total of six different metals in this group: Osmium, Iridium, Palladium, Rhodium, Ruthenium and Platinum. These elemental metals are frequently found as natural alloys and share unique properties that have made them invaluable in a variety of industrial applications. Native Platinum is extremely rare. Most crystals are found as small nuggets or grains in placer (placed by erosion from the weathering of softer host rocks) deposits. Crystals are cubes or octahedrons and tend to be pea sized or smaller. The very first Platinum used by ancestors probably came from these types of deposits. Over the centuries more sophisticated processes have been developed to extract stubborn deposits of PGMs still layered in host rocks. Since the vast majority of Platinum resources fall into this category, the meteoric rise in demand for these metals is momentarily being met. The computer industry alone increased its usage of the metal 1000% during the 1990s. Estimates claim that at least 20% (1 in 5) of the items you purchase either contain or use a Platinum metal group during the manufacturing process. Even with the improvements made in smelting PGMs, it still takes five to six months and a seven step process to separate Platinum from the multitude of other minerals it is found with. On average 15,000 tons of Silver and 1,800 tons of Gold are produced annually; compared to 120 tons of Platinum. All of the Platinum produced to date will supposedly fit into a room approximately 25 feet square, 10 feet high. South Africa produces over 60% of the Platinum used by the world. Russia accounts for another 25% and the remainder comes from the US, Canada, Zimbabwe, Columbia, New Zealand, New South Wales and Australia. The name comes from the Spanish words for tiny (tina) Silver (plata). Conquistadors were annoyed with the Platina that kept getting mixed in with the Gold they were panning from the streams of modern day Columbia. It was considered of such low value that forgers used the metal to create molds for counterfeiting Spanish coins. Archeological evidence shows that both Egyptians and South American natives used Platinum for jewelry over 1000 years ago. It was not until the conquistadors began bringing the metal back from the new world that it became widely known. Although it is one of the few metals identified with an alchemical symbol. Alchemy was an early "science" dedicated primarily to discovering the process that would turn ordinary stones or metals into Gold. Platinum is an excellent metal to study for this purpose, because of its outstanding catalytic capabilities. During the 1500 and 1600s, Platinum began to make its way into the households of the Spanish elite. Sir Charles Wood brought the precious metal to England in 1741 and ten years later a Swedish assayer (Scheffer) identified it as distinct element (the seventh element to be recognized at that point). In those early centuries of discovery, humans were not able to produce a fire hot enough to melt Platinum (3215-3221 fahrenheit). The metal was immune to any acids known at the time, in fact Platinum is an inert metal. It does not react to other elements or chemicals, but can cause reactions (catalyst) between different chemicals. Scheffer was the first to finally melt Platinum. By the 1780s it was already beginning to show up in a variety of products. Germany was fashioning high temperature laboratory apparatus that was proving extremely durable. The French used it for crucibles in glass factories. Pope Pius VI was presented a Platinum chalice weighing two kilograms in 1788 that had been crafted by Spanish goldsmith Francisco Alonso. Eventually silverware, chains and even buttons were being made in this new precious metal. As the processes for extracting Platinum from complex ores improved, the uses for this magical metal kept increasing. In the early 1800s it began showing up in gun parts and used for the production of caustic materials (i.e. Platinum boilers for producing sulfuric acid). Inventors and scientists stood by with more applications, but resources were limited to one location, Columbia South America. Then in 1822 alluvial deposits of Platinum were found in the Ural mountains of Russia. It would be another 100 years before the huge stores of the metal would be discovered in South Africa. In the meantime the new resources found in Russia met the world's current needs. With the surplus, Russia became to first government to mint Platinum coins. During an 18 year period (1824-1842?) approximately 500,000 ounces of the metal were stamped into roubles. For the first time Platinum was viewed not just as an important industrial ingredient, but as a valuable form of commerce and investment. A farmer in South Africa is credited with biggest discovery of Platinum ever when it was found at Merensky Reef in 1923. With this new rich resource of the rare metal, applications for it mushroomed. Today, humans would be lost without this impervious material. Platinum has proven an invaluable ally in the struggle to keep our air clean. Its use in catalytic converters and smokestack scrubbers helps to convert dangerous hydrocarbons into more benign carbon dioxide and water vapors. Its applications as a catalyst in manufacturing acids, fertilizers, synthetics, plastics and electroplating is nothing short of miraculous. Because of its inert properties (it remains unchanged, while causing change in others), the metal can be recycled infinitely. The list of products that Platinum impacts is almost as large as your household inventory. Automobile parts, electronics, jewelry, computers, DVDs, fertilizers, batteries, fuel cells, fiberglass, oil refining, fiber optics, pharmaceuticals, clothing and glass are on the short list. Platinum touches almost every aspect of our lives, perhaps it is time we honor the boundless gifts of this metallic relation. Even if you are never able to hold a piece of Platinum, there are some powerful lessons this metal brings to us. First and foremost, this metal has taught humans the value and importance of recycling. Because of its scarcity and durable inert qualities we have learned to recapture this element and reuse it again and again. Platinum also teaches us the power of the smallest relation. As the rarest element on our planet, one would assume that it would be rare in our lives as well. However, just the opposite is true. The tiny quantities of this material that are available, touch almost every aspect of our modern life. Including one of our most magical modern tools, the world wide web. In many ways, Platinum is the modern human's buffalo or woolly mammoth, we make use of every part (property). These properties make this metal a powerful setting for gemstones and crystals you are working with. Like Gold, Platinum will super charge a gemstone set within its grasp. However, unlike Gold it does not add its own energy but increases the power of the gem and your intention. It will also act as catalyst when you are combining different stones together, helping them to perform in stronger unity toward your desired results. The metal can bring focus and motivation toward the achievement of your goals. Platinum is actually a "dream driver". You can aim this metal at almost any purpose or goal and it will illuminate and assist your journey toward that end. This makes it an excellent setting for the Diamond which shares the same multi-faceted capability. Together they make an almost unstoppable tool for making your dreams come true. Platinum stimulates the Third Eye and Crown Chakra, improving intuition and psychic skills. It can also perform as direct "wire" to the universe when you are wishing to communicate with your guides or angels. Platinum is used in the manufacturing of life-saving cancer drugs and other pharmaceuticals. It assists the body in remembering and achieving health on a cellular level. The metal may be beneficial in keeping your eyesight strong and help you to digest and assimilate nutrients. Even if you are never able to actually hold a piece of Platinum in your hands, you are never far from this metal's influence. The next time you are in your car, surf the internet, play your favorite dvd or stare out a window, take a moment to reflect on your vast connections to this magical material. Thank it for the gifts that have made your life better, open yourself to its lessons that can make your spiritual life shine. --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL: FREE Small Choice! Receive an extra small gemstone of your choice with any purchase from Ozark Rock Exchange. You can shop on line at https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart You can also place your order by email at stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com or send your telephone number for a phone appointment. Discount will be taken at the time of purchase. You must be a subscriber as of January 4, 2005 to be eligible for the Subscriber's Special; the Subscriber Special is not valid with other offers (unless otherwise stated). Only one special per subscriber, please. The Subscriber's Special will expire February 2, 2005. Remember you never pay extra for shipping at Ozark Rock Exchange! --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SKY NOTES Twelfth Night/Epiphany (Stephanie's birthday), Thursday January 6 -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- Gemstone Meditations (from The Stone Power Circle) ROSE QUARTZ (January 2002) My greetings I open my heart Teach me to end Teach me to see QUARTZ (March 2002) Grant me clarity, Quartz Daughter, Teach me to take your light PERIDOT (July 2003) Open my own heart Teach me to forgive Dear Peridot friend, -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: New Year Contest WINNER! Congratulations to Lisa H.! Her name was drawn as the winner for the New Year Contest! Thanks to Lisa and everyone for sending their answers! Pictures of the prize and details on the contest are available at: -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- What's Happening At Ozark Rock Exchange? 2004 ORE FEATURES ARCHIVES: The online archives for ORE FEATURES is completely up to date with all of the 2004 issues now online. You can check out the 2004 archives at http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/ore_features/2004/index.shtml STONE POWER CIRCLE: Is celebrating its 3rd anniversary this month. In addition to publishing some of the past crystal meditations, I have also lowered the price for membership in the Circle to $10 per month, regardless of how many months you wish to join. If you sign up for 12 months, your last month is free! You can sign up for the Stone Power Circle here: https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=127 or email stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com for more information. A POTPOURRI PARTY! The ladies at A Potpourri of Shops (all hand crafters) are hosting an online party on Saturday January 22nd. The party is from 6:00pm until 10:00pm ET, I will be there along with some other great crafters. We'll have games, prizes, special buys and way too much fun. Join us at http://potpourri.webpageone.org/ SILVER WRAPPING CLASSES: The Bead Gallery will be hosting a class on wrapping gemstones with Silver wire. The class is Saturday January 29 at 1:00pm and costs $20. The Bead Gallery is on Glenstone in Springfield, MO, just south of Grand (next to Papa John's Pizza). FREE GEMSTONE CLASS: Choosing, Cleansing and Charging, learning the three Cs of gemstones and crystals will be presented at The Bead Gallery Saturday February 12. The class will be at 1:30pm and will be free. VISIONCON: Is February 18, 19 and 20th in Springfield MO at the Clarion Hotel, 3333 S. Glenstone. For details on gaming, special presentations and Visioncon hours, visit their website at http://www.visioncon.net KGBX WOMEN'S SHOW: Is an annual event in Springfield MO dedicated to the needs and interests of women. This year the show is Saturday February 26 at the Ozark Empire Fairground E-plex. SHOP OZARK ROCK EXCHANGE: The Bead Gallery in Springfield Mo now carries gemstones and crystals from Ozark Rock Exchange. Visit the Bead Gallery on Glenstone, just South of Grand (next to Papa John's pizza). MOBILE ORE STORE VisionCon KGBX Women's Show |
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