Precious metals are silver, gold, osmium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, iridium. Of interest are their isotopes, which are obtained through special laboratory transformations.
Quick reference
Precious metals are those substances that occur in nature in small quantities in native form. The most demanded material is osmium, the most expensive is californium-252.
Precious metals are the elements that make up the country's reserves. For example, the cost of one gram of rhodium is $230 (gold is several times cheaper). Rhodium is characterized by high resistance to temperature extremes, alkaline and acid environments.
Platinum
It is included in the list of precious metals, it ranks second in value. This rare metal has an increased chemical resistance. Under normal conditions, the metal does not change its appearance (retains a silvery-white color), does notoxidized by atmospheric oxygen.
Osmium
Considering the precious metals of the Central Bank, it is necessary to highlight this element. Osmium has a silvery white color, does not occur in nature in its pure form, and is a heavy element. Main advantages: refractoriness, hardness.
Heavy metals
They include iridium, ruthenium, palladium, silver.
Iridium has a silvery-white color, is very rare in nature, has a high hardness, so it is almost impossible to machine.
Ruthenium is a chemically resistant metal with high refractoriness. Used to speed up chemical interactions (catalytic properties).
Palladium is the lightest precious metal. It is characterized by flexibility, plasticity, increased resistance to corrosion.
Silver has been known to mankind since ancient times. This metal can be found in native form. Analyzing various transactions with precious metals, it is necessary to mention silver. Due to the plasticity, softness of this metal, its thermal conductivity, electrical properties, it finds significant application not only in jewelry, but also in the electrical and chemical industries.
Precious metals are weapons that are used on the stock exchanges, and also offered to customers in financial institutions (banks).
Gold stock
Gold is a precious metal that is considered the mostrecognizable in the world. Mankind has known gold since the Stone Age. In nature, it occurs in its native form, containing a small amount of impurities, as well as in a natural alloy with silver.
Gold is distinguished by its amazing thermal conductive characteristics and low resistivity. This is a fairly malleable metal, which has an unusual malleability. This substance is much less durable than other representatives of noble metals. In terms of chemical resistance, gold can be considered a rather inert element.
The gold reserve is the central reserve of gold. It exists in ingots, in the form of coins and represents an important part of the gold and foreign exchange reserves of a certain state.
In our country, a financial institution such as Sberbank manages gold reserves. Precious metals are a guarantee of the welfare of the state, an indicator of its financial stability.
Important aspects
Precious metals quotes are now used by all states. The precious metal is the basis for the reserve and insurance fund. First, a special stabilization fund is formed. For example, the "Sower" gold coin is launched for sale - an investment coin that anyone can purchase.
During the period of fairly free circulation of this precious metal, such a gold reserve served as a kind of reserve fund for making payments on deposits, in the international arena, exchanging banknotes and domestic circulation.
In 1913 it wasalmost 60% of the world's gold reserves are concentrated in centralized reserves in the form of coins. About 40% of gold was then in direct circulation. Further, metal circulation was replaced by paper circulation, and according to the Federal Law “On Precious Metals and Precious Stones” (No. 41 of March 26, 1998), gold is concentrated in special centralized funds.
During the unhindered circulation of gold in individual countries as a means of payment (until 1929-1933), this precious metal was used for international payments by the reserve fund. After 1945, when the economy of many countries was weakened, the importance of this metal increased significantly, and the process of transferring the entire gold reserve to the state was launched.
Realities of the time
Modern government recorded gold reserves, which are concentrated in the central banks of different countries and in the reserves of the International Monetary Fund, amount to about 32 thousand tons. More significant volumes are in the form of coins and jewelry among the population. All this affects the quotes of precious metals on the world market. The gold reserve is increasing due to the extraction of the precious metal. Approximately 1% of terrestrial gold was mined during the years of the "gold rush" (California). An interesting fact is that all the gold of the Earth, according to scientists, is of cosmic origin. It is believed that all deposits of gold ores arose about 4 billion years ago. It was during that period that a long golden meteor shower rained down on Earth.
Stock Features
Early 2000all world gold reserves amounted to about 150.4 thousand tons. They were distributed in this way:
- about 30 thousand tons - in central state banks and financial international organizations;
- 79 thousand tons - in jewelry, where the favorite and leader is 750 gold;
- 17 thousand tons are precious metal products, as well as parts in the electronics industry;
- 24 thousand tons are in various investment savings.
In 2009, the world's total reserves of all mined gold already amounted to 165 thousand tons. With an average price per troy ounce of $1,000, the total value of such gold would be over five trillion dollars. Approximately a quarter of all land-based gold is held in reserves by official organizations and central banks.
Course Features
An interesting fact is that many countries in the thirties of the last century, fearing a possible German invasion, moved their gold reserves to the United States for storage. They were located in New York, in the central vault of the US Federal Reserve Bank, at a depth of about 25 meters (in the granite soil of Manhattan). At present, the US virtually controls the entire IMF. Without the approval of the US Congress, the IMF cannot sell its gold.
The rate of gold and other precious metals in Russia is set daily. Prices are determined taking into account fixing for silver, platinum, palladium, gold on the London spot metal market. Then they are converted into rubles according tothe US dollar exchange rate set on the day following the price determination.
Apply accounting prices for accounting in various credit institutions.
Distribution of large gold reserves
Which countries influence the price of gold? Ten countries and organizations had the largest gold reserves at the beginning of the 20th century:
- China;
- Netherlands;
- Japan;
- Switzerland;
- Italy;
- France;
- Germany;
- International Monetary Fund;
- European Central Bank;
- USA (approximately 8,965.6 tons, with the bulk of this precious metal located in Fort Knox, Kentucky).
It is these powers that are the main players in the international precious metals market. The price of gold depends on the peculiarities of their economic situation. In the world in 2011, the state reserves of gold amounted to 30.5 thousand tons. In 2010, Russia increased its reserves of the precious yellow metal by 18%.
18K Gold
Gold is the oldest precious metal that began to be used by man. At the excavations of pyramids and ancient mounds, archaeologists find jewelry of extraordinary beauty and value. Already in those distant times, people appreciated the yellow metal. In modern times, gold is still highly valued - it is widely used in jewelry, in particular in the manufacture of jewelry.
Today, gold is produced in the form of bars for storage in banks, in the form of plates for coating surfaces, andalso in the form of decorative wire.
After complete purification from minor impurities, a metal of the highest purity is obtained. Since it has a high softness, it is impossible to use it in its pure form in jewelry production. Gold is mixed with other, less expensive impurities to increase its strength.
The content of pure gold in 1 kg determines its fineness. A sample of gold 750 indicates that the alloy contains 75.5% pure gold, and the rest is additives, or ligature, which consists of platinum, palladium, copper, silver and nickel. Thanks to the additives introduced into the alloy, gold can have several shades at once: pink, red, yellow, green and others.
Gold of the highest 999 standard
This is the highest standard of gold - a pure metal with no impurities. It is called "pure gold", as it has a specific reddish tint. Gold of this sample is rarely found on store shelves, as products from it are fragile. The minimum product made of pure gold can weigh from 10 grams. Such gold is easy to process, any details can be poured from it. It is considered an ideal metal in terms of quality. The modern market of precious metals is represented by a small number of pure metal products. Of these, only wedding rings are offered, the impressive weight of which allows the product to maintain its shape.
Not everyone knows why gold can have different shades: from pink or yellow to black and purple. Most problematicget white gold, since it is important to introduce nickel, platinum, palladium into it. Shades of red and rose gold are formed when gold is combined with copper. Black color is obtained in an alloy with rubidium, a bluish tint - with indium. Regardless of the shade and color of the product, it must have a special hallmark, which is an approved state mark (quality confirmation).
Precious metals quotes
Precious metals are currently a strategic raw material in any state. 999 gold bars are a guarantee of the stability of the country. In the modern world, economists and financiers have abandoned the physical reinforcement of banknotes with liquid goods. Gold bars are considered as an option for preserving capital. Investors call them metal accounts.
The change in the price of gold is affected by the fall in the exchange rate, jumps in the cost of oil, an unstable political situation. The sale of assets, sharp changes in the dollar exchange rate - all this encourages the population to massively buy up gold, as well as various jewelry, causing a significant increase in its value.
Trading in silver, gold, palladium, platinum and other precious metals is carried out on many of the world's largest exchanges and platforms. According to the terms of the contract, a real supply of metals is expected or calculations are made according to quotations that are valid for the period of its conclusion.
Trading on the interbank market for precious metals is carried out around the clock. Quotes are published constantly,monitoring of average values on electronic platforms and world exchanges is carried out.
Twice a day the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) sets the London fix for precious metals. It is the main reference point for all participants in the precious metals market. The fixing price is used in almost all contracts that are concluded for the supply of precious metals.
