Platinum vs. Silver — What's the Difference?

Often used in industrial applications like catalytic converters.

Mixed with copper to create sterling silver for durability.

Very rare and expensive compared to other metals.

Widely used in electronics, currency, and medical devices.

A rare, naturally white precious metal used in fine jewelry.

A lustrous, soft precious metal used in affordable jewelry.

Known for its high density and heaviness.

Commonly available and less expensive.

Highly resistant to corrosion and tarnishing.

Prone to tarnishing due to reactions with air and moisture.

Platinum is a chemical element with the symbol Pt and atomic number 78. It is a dense, malleable, ductile, highly unreactive, precious, silverish-white transition metal.

Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag (from the Latin argentum, derived from the Proto-Indo-European h₂erǵ: "shiny" or "white") and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it exhibits the highest electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and reflectivity of any metal.

A trademark for a certification indicating that a recording, such as an album of music, has sold a million copies.

Symbol Ag A lustrous white, ductile, malleable metallic element, occurring both uncombined and in ores such as argentite, having the highest thermal and electrical conductivity of the metals. It is highly valued for jewelry, tableware, and other ornamental use and is widely used in coinage, photography, dental and soldering alloys, electrical contacts, and printed circuits. Atomic number 47; atomic weight 107.868; melting point 961.78°C; boiling point 2,162°C; specific gravity 10.50 (20°C); valence 1, 2. See Periodic Table.

Symbol Pt A silver-white metallic element occurring in alluvial deposits in sperrylite and nickel ores, usually mixed with other metals such as iridium, osmium, or nickel. It is ductile and malleable, does not oxidize in air, and is used as a catalyst and in electrical components, jewelry, dentistry, and electroplating. Atomic number 78; atomic weight 195.08; melting point 1,768.2°C; boiling point 3,825°C; specific gravity 21.45 (20°C); valence 2, 3, 4. See Periodic Table.

This metallic element as a commodity or medium of exchange.

A medium to light gray.

Coins made of this metallic element.

The chemical element with atomic number 78 and symbol Pt; a dense, malleable, ductile, highly unreactive, silverish-white transition metal of great value.

A medal made of silver awarded to one placing second in a competition, as in the Olympics.

A whitish grey colour, like that of the metal.

Domestic articles, such as tableware, made of or plated with silver.

(music) A single or album that has achieved platinum sales, i.e. over 1 million or 2 million.

Tableware, especially eating and serving utensils, made of steel or another metal.

A platinum-based drug: a platin#Etymology 2.

A lustrous medium gray.

Of a whitish grey colour, like that of the metal.

A silver salt, especially silver nitrate, used to sensitize paper.

Of a musical recording that has sold over one million copies (for singles), or two million (for albums).

Made of or containing silver

Very expensive, or of very high quality

Resembling silver, especially in having a lustrous shine; silvery.

(computer games) to reach platinum level in a game

Of a lustrous medium gray

A metallic element of atomic number 78, one of the noble metals, classed with silver and gold as a precious metal, occurring native or alloyed with other metals and also as the platinum arsenide (sperrylite). It is a heavy tin-white metal which is ductile and malleable, but very infusible (melting point 1772° C), and characterized by its resistance to strong chemical reagents. It is used for crucibles in laboratory operations, as a catalyst, in jewelry, for stills for sulphuric acid, rarely for coin, and in the form of foil and wire for many purposes. Specific gravity 21.5. Atomic weight 195.1. Symbol Pt. Formerly called platina.

Having a soft, clear, resonant sound.

A heavy precious metallic element; gray-white and resistant to corroding; occurs in some nickel and copper ores and is also found native in some deposits

Eloquent; persuasive

Favoring the adoption of silver as a standard of currency

Of or constituting a 25th anniversary.

To cover, plate, or adorn with silver or a similar lustrous substance.

To give a silver color to.

To coat (photographic paper) with a film of silver nitrate or other silver salt.

To become silvery.

(uncountable) A lustrous, white, metallic element, atomic number 47, atomic weight 107.87, symbol Ag.

Coins made from silver or any similar white metal.

Cutlery and other eating utensils, whether silver or made from some other white metal.

Any items made from silver or any other white metal.

(uncountable) A shiny gray color.

(countable) a silver medal

Anything resembling silver; something shiny and white.

Made from silver.

Made from another white metal.

Having a color like silver: a shiny gray.

Denoting the twenty-fifth anniversary, especially of a wedding.

(of commercial services) Premium, but inferior to gold.

Having the clear, musical tone of silver; soft and clear in sound.

To acquire a silvery colour.

To cover with silver, or with a silvery metal.

To polish like silver; to impart a brightness to, like that of silver.

To make hoary, or white, like silver.

A soft white metallic element, sonorous, ductile, very malleable, and capable of a high degree of polish. It is found native, and also combined with sulphur, arsenic, antimony, chlorine, etc., in the minerals argentite, proustite, pyrargyrite, ceragyrite, etc. Silver is one of the "noble" metals, so-called, not being easily oxidized, and is used for coin, jewelry, plate, and a great variety of articles. Symbol Ag (Argentum). Atomic weight 107.7. Specific gravity 10.5.

Coin made of silver; silver money.

Anything having the luster or appearance of silver.

The color of silver.

Of or pertaining to silver; made of silver; as, silver leaf; a silver cup.

Resembling silver.

Precious; costly.

To cover with silver; to give a silvery appearance to by applying a metal of a silvery color; as, to silver a pin; to silver a glass mirror plate with an amalgam of tin and mercury.

To polish like silver; to impart a brightness to, like that of silver.

To make hoary, or white, like silver.

To acquire a silvery color.

A soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

Coins made of silver

A light shade of gray

Silverware eating utensils

A medal made of silver (or having the appearance of silver) that is usually awarded for winning second place in a competition

Coat with a layer of silver or a silver amalgam;

Make silver in color;

Turn silver;

Made from or largely consisting of silver;

Having the white lustrous sheen of silver;

Lustrous gray; covered with or tinged with the color of silver;

Expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively;

Platinum is significantly heavier due to its higher density.

Sometimes, as copper in sterling silver may cause reactions in sensitive individuals.

Platinum is rarer and denser, increasing its value compared to silver.

Yes, silver is an excellent conductor of electricity.

No, platinum is highly resistant to tarnish and corrosion.

Yes, silver tarnishes easily and needs regular cleaning to maintain its shine.

Yes, but resizing platinum requires more expertise due to its hardness.

Sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper.

Yes, rhodium plating adds shine and tarnish resistance to silver jewelry.

Yes, platinum's density makes it more challenging to shape and mold.

Yes, platinum is generally hypoallergenic, suitable for most wearers.

Absolutely, its durability makes it excellent for daily wear.

Yes, both are classified as precious metals due to their economic value.

Yes, platinum is denser and more scratch-resistant than silver.

Yes, platinum is essential in technology, particularly in catalytic converters.