Platinum also occurs in combination with arsenic in the mineral
_Sperrylite_ (PtAs_{2}), in the form of minute octahedral crystals. The
colour of this mineral is tin white, its lustre is metallic and
brilliant, its hardness varies from 6 to 7, and its specific gravity is
10·6. The mineral is brittle and breaks with a conchoidal fracture. It
is very rare, and is interesting as being the only mineral of platinum
known besides the native metal. It occurs associated with sulphide
minerals of magmatic origin in gabbros and diabases, notably in the
nickeliferous pyrites of Sudbury, Canada, and in the copper ores of the
Rambler Mine, Laramie, Wyoming.
It is probable that the palladium, which is also found in these
deposits, is similarly present in the form of an arsenide, but such a
mineral has not yet been definitely proved to exist.
The following is an analysis of a sample of sperrylite: platinum, 54·47
per cent.; rhodium, 0·76 per cent.; palladium, trace; arsenic, 42·23 per
cent.; antimony, 0·54 per cent.[2] p. 69.
PROPERTIES OF THE PLATINUM METALS
_Platinum._—The colour is white with a greyish tinge. When pure it is
very malleable and ductile. Its coefficient of expansion is less than
that of all other metals. Platinum fuses at about 1750° C., but the
presence of impurities lowers the melting-point. Its specific gravity is
21·5, and its hardness is from 4 to 5. Its electric conductivity is low,
being 13·4 at 0° C.[3] p. 398.
_Composition of Native Platinum and Osmiridium_
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