A silver-white metal and one of the heaviest substances known to man, is value is in its rarity, its “preciousness” in its special characteristics; it can be shaped and worked in almost any way – only gold and silver are more malleable; it does not corrode nor tarnish, making it a perfect jewelry metal; it has a high melting point; it readily forms alloys with other metals. It also acts extremely effectively as a catalyst, speeding up chemical reactions, and is, therefore, ideal for automobile catalytic converters.
