Characteristics of platinum, palladium, gold and silver

The best-known types of precious metals are gold, silver, palladium, and platinum. These precious metals are used, among other things, in various technologies. Platinum and palladium are about 30 times rarer than gold, but gold is 19 times rarer than silver. Because gold is more difficult to extract, it is also much more valuable.

Gold is a precious metal that has been popular for centuries because of its beauty and value. It is soft and pliable, and is often processed into jewelry because of its shine and durability.

Silver is appreciated for its beauty and value. The price of silver is volatile, partly due to demand from industry and the investment market.

Applications in industry and jewelry

Palladium and platinum are often used in jewelry because of their durability and shine. These metals are also frequently used in the automotive industry, for the production of catalytic converters. Gold is also frequently used in industry, particularly in electronics and in aerospace. It is often used as a conductor for electricity, for example in mobile phones.

Silver is harder than gold and is often processed into jewelry because of its shine and durability. Silver is also widely used in industry, especially in photography and electronics. Silver is also used in the production of many medical devices.

Value and price comparison

The price of silver, gold, platinum, and palladium varies, depending on various factors, including supply and demand in the market and geopolitical tensions. Gold is generally more expensive than silver, platinum, and palladium. Platinum was more valuable than gold for a long time, but nowadays this is increasingly reversed. The price of gold and silver can fluctuate for various reasons.

Economic uncertainty often leads to increasing demand for gold and silver, especially during recessions or geopolitical tensions. In addition, precious metals are often seen as a hedge against inflation, because their value sometimes rises when purchasing power decreases.

Fluctuations in supply also play an important role in the price formation of precious metals. A shortage of precious metals drives up the price.

Decisions by central banks regarding interest rates also have an influence. A low interest rate stimulates the demand for gold and silver, while rising interest rates have a downward effect on prices. Finally, technical factors, such as trading volumes and price patterns, influence the price movements of precious metals.

Investment opportunities in precious metals

Investing in precious metals via The Silver Mountain offers various benefits. In the long term, many precious metals are relatively stable in value, which offers protection in times of inflation. By investing with a combination of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, you spread the risks within your investment portfolio.

Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages to these investments. For example, you do not benefit from interest increases or dividend payments, but only from the appreciation in value of precious metals. If you own physical precious metal, such as gold or silver bars and gold and silver coins, you will also have to deal with storage and insurance costs. Do you have questions or need advice? Feel free to contact The Silver Mountain.

Disclaimer: The Silver Mountain does not provide investment advice and this article should not be considered as such. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.