Why are Platinum and Palladium not talked about in the same breath as Gold and Silver

I know when I look at buying bullion, all most people speak about is Gold and Silver. So why is Platinum and Palladium not in that same category when talking about bullion. They are precious metals and platinum carries even more value then gold. Its both a industral used metal and a metal used for jewelry and more.

Palladium is at a price you would think that more people would be interested in it a bit more, but you don't see interest either in that as much as you would think. Why is that? I love posting these type of questions because it educates people about the market and PMs. :rollling:

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Because Platinum and Palladium markets are miniscule compared Silver and Gold. Same is the case with Rhodium.

 

Which metals are "precious" and which are simply scarcer or valuable is a thin line. Many rare earth metals are MUCH rarer, and MUCH more expensive than gold or silver. Are they "precious".

A very strong argument could be made that only gold and silver are precious metals. Personally I always include platinum as well, especially since a few countries use platinum much like gold has historically been used, (Japan), but that is my personal opinion. Palladium I am on the fence with. I am not sure how much it really is a precious metal, especially seeing how ugly it is.

 

have to agree almost word for word with medoraman

 

I include Iridium in the PM argument, due to it being a pretty white metal, as well.

Personally, I think the reason that PGMs aren't treated (speculated on) like PMs is lack of velocity and volume. Most PGMs (and rare earths) are industry specific, and involve mining contracts that deliver the metal (or alloys) directly to the manufacturers. This is a reason why rhodium (physical, unpooled) is generally a poor investment. Even if the value goes up, the cost involved with selling the metal makes it very illiquid.

 

Gold is the top dog, as it is well recorded and reported on world wide. Silver is usually a puppy, much less expectations, and the rest, including copper are ants.

 

PGMs have a high value but low liquidity, I can sell my gold and silver to 100 places within a mile of my house. If I brought platinum in and if they know what it actually was the spread would be abusive.

 

Rhodium, palladium, iridium. They should change their names. They sound too much like some very nasty metals that also end in "ium".

 

Both gold and silver have been viewed as a store of value (rightly or wrongly) for thousands of years. Although rarer, other metals have not been viewed as a surrogate for currency and, thus, have not developed a "mythical attraction."

guy

 

Bottom line answer to OP's question with regard to palladium and rhodium only some manufacturing, the jewelry industry and electronics industries use these. It's too hard to sell off once collected. Platinum with the exception of platinum eagles (not a world collector so unsure about other mint's programs) is also mainly a jewelry industry thing but the eagles have numismatic value. If the metal is easily sold or wanted by someone else as is or is a piece of hard currency the price is much closer to spot but if it's sold to a refinery then the price is lower and reflects the cost the smelters charge the coin shop or pawn shop etc. to melt it.