As of right now Gold versus Platinum: Gold: 863.10 +4.80 +0.56% PLATINUM 12/17/2008 865.00 -8.00 -0.93% That is a net difference of $1.90. Nuts
Yes, a long time ago before the 70s before platinum was mandated by law to be used as catalysts and became a branded good associated with high quality jewelery and such. It doesn't matter how scarce it is compared to gold, if there is no demand, it's worthless. Now with the automobile industry coming close to a total crash, with 50% of the demand that used to go to platinum, just who else buys platinum now? Investors like you? Sure, as long as you don't mind waiting in the long run.
Dentists. But, I would imagine that we don't use that much in our trade. :rolling: I see your point though, I guess I hadn't considered the automotive side of it (for some reason). I'd imagine without that demand...it'd be more like palladium (which Dentist's also use. )
No...not really. Silver is used to a certain degree in silver amalgam fillings...I'm not sure of the exact formula of that allow. These days silver amalgam is becoming less commonly used. But for larger restorations such as crowns and bridges it is not. Those use "high nobility" metals. What that means, is it uses metals that are pretty much inert. As we all know, silver oxidizes and tones. You don't want to use an alloy with a high metal contest that oxidizes in the mouth. Gold, platinum, and palladium for all intents and purposes don't. The truth is they do a little bit, but to a very small degree. If you look at someone who has had a crown or a bridge done and the metal is "gold" it is an alloy that has a higher gold content. There are several that are used that a "yellow" metals. If they are silver in color (known as "white" metals), they have a higher platinum and palladium content. The different alloy mixtures yield different properties that and a dentist must decide what best suits each restoration. However, a "white" metal restoration still contains gold.
All of the precious metals seem pretty low in price right now. For someone inclined to trade them, selling gold to buy platinum coins right now makes some sense with the intent to reverse the process when platinum again sells at a significant premium to gold.
With gold and platinum about the same at the moment, there's NO way you can make a profit. You won't be able to sell either at spot (except maybe on eBay and then you have to wait for the transaction to complete.) You won't be able to buy either at spot. The mark-up is huge. There has to be a large difference in spot prices to potentially make money AND you have to be confident you know what the market will do.
It totally depends on what type of crown it is. If its a porcelain fused metal crown or a full metal crown and what tooth. Assuming it's a molar and a full metal crown. Generally, for a full metal crown you want a yellow metal for a couple reasons. First, yellow metals have a higher gold content and are thus more ductile. This makes it easier to adapt the crown to the margins on the tooth and make it smooth. As a result, it's easier to keep clean at the junction between the tooth and the crown and that helps reduce cavity formation. A fairly common alloy used for a full gold crown on a molar is Type IV gold. It is low enough in gold content to keep the price down a bit and is pretty strong, but has enough gold to remain ductile. I don't have the exact specs in front of me, but a type iv gold alloy is about 50% gold. As more strength is required, you see the gold content decrease. For example, bridge framework will be of a lower gold content. So will a crown that has a porcelain veneer on the front of it for aesthetics.
