Platinum (Pt) very heavy, precious, silver-white metal, platinum is soft and ductile and has a high melting point and good resistance to corrosion and chemical attack.Platinum has many uses. Its wear- and tarnish-resistance characteristics are well- suited for making fine jewelry. Platinum and its alloys are used in surgical tools, laboratory utensils, electrical resistance wires, and electrical contact points. It is used (30%) as a catalyst in the catalytic converter Three-quarters of the world's platinum comes from South Africa 1993