Discover More About Investing In Platinum
Platinum is a silvery-white precious metal estimated to be 15-20X rarer than gold. Its story begins long before it was officially recognized & used as a store-of-value:
Archaeologists have found traces of platinum in ancient Egyptian gold artifacts from around 1200 BCE. It’s possible platinum was included in these objects accidentally because the metal often emerges naturally alongside gold & it takes advanced methods to separate the metals when they’re intertwined.
About 1,000 years later than the Egyptians, on the other side of the world, pre-Columbian indigenous cultures in South America created their own artifacts by rudimentarily blending gold & platinum. Then, when the Spanish conquistadors arrived there on mining expeditions in the 1500s, they stumbled upon the mysterious metal, which they couldn’t easily melt or refine. They called it “platina” — or “little silver” in Spanish — and dismissed it as an impurity or “unripe gold.” European scientists eventually studied it closely and discovered properties that make platinum valuable, like its corrosion resistance and durability.
Platinum’s evolution as a store of value into the 20th and 21st centuries are due to factors like its rarity and its industrial uses — particularly in catalytic converters for cars, chemical processing, technology, and jewelry. This practical demand has driven its price above gold during peak buying periods. Investors began treating it like gold and silver as bullion coins & bars entered the market. The U.S. Mint introduced the iconic American Platinum Eagle in 1997 — a 99.95% pure bullion coin — and other countries soon followed with their own historic platinum issues.
Today, everyday investors have many good options to use precious metals — like platinum — to hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty. Coins, bars, and precious metals-backed IRAs offer dependable ways to diversify.
Frequently Asked Questions About Platinum
When Should I Buy Platinum?
Given the unpredictability of the market, it’s impossible to guess the best time to buy.
With that said, the best time for any one person to buy platinum ultimately depends on their personal convictions and financial goals. Ultimately, investing in precious metals often comes down to your beliefs about what you think is happening in the economy — both in the short and long term.
If you believe that markets and the US dollar are getting stronger, then you might think twice about precious metals. But, if you believe the markets are too risky or volatile — or if you believe inflation is weakening the purchasing power of your dollar — then precious metals like platinum could be a fantastic option for you.
Rather than trying to “time” the market, long-term strategies like dollar-cost averaging can smooth out returns over time. Patience is key, and consistent approaches could help.
What Are The Best Ways To Invest In Platinum?
The best ways to invest in platinum depend on your goals & risk tolerance. There are many options, each with their pros and cons — like paper platinum (ETFs, futures contracts, or mining stocks), physical platinum (bullion coins, bars), and platinum-backed IRAs.
Paper platinum options like ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) offer fast trading, but the lack of physical ownership could be a concern if you have trouble taking possession during a market disruption/ crisis due to a fund’s given structure & redemption process. Plus, fund management fees could eat into your returns over time.
Platinum futures contracts provide high-risk/ high-reward exposure tied to platinum’s price, but many don’t want to stomach the high-leverage risk or the expiration & rollover costs associated with this type of trading.
Platinum mining stocks have company performance upside, but there are a lot of moving parts: Operational challenges like equipment failures, labor strikes, regulatory hurdles, or environmental disasters could disrupt production and tank stock prices — even if platinum prices rise. Also, company-specific issues like poor management, high debt levels, or unprofitable mines can drag down a company’s stock.
At Preserve Gold, we believe in hard, tangible assets like bars and coins — popular choices that offer real ownership and provide a level of safety against inflation and economic uncertainty. We also offer IRAs backed by physical precious metals, which can diversify retirement portfolios while offering secure storage and the potential for steady growth.
Is It Safe To Buy Platinum Online?
Yes, buying platinum online can be very safe. If you take the right precautions, online shopping can offer convenience and a wide selection of trusted IRA-eligible coins, bars, and rounds.
To protect yourself, research dealers thoroughly by checking customer reviews, verifying ties to reputable organizations like the U.S. Mint or World Gold Council, and ensuring the website uses encryption (look for “https” in the URL).
Steer clear of high-pressure sales tactics & confirm fair premiums, return policies, and insured shipping options. Stick to trusted payment methods and always compare options to encourage a secure purchase.
Like reputable dealers should, Preserve Gold enhances safety with transparent pricing, authentic products, and reliable customer support.
How Can Investing In Physical Assets Help Diversify Wealth?
Investing in tangible assets like precious metals can diversify your wealth by adding resilience to your portfolio & ensure personal possession during market volatility or crises.
Physical assets can spread risk across different asset classes by diversifying outside of traditional investment vehicles. Though their prices can fluctuate based on supply and demand, they can also serve as an inflation hedge. For example, platinum could hold or increase in value when fiat currency weakens or when industrial demand spikes.
Unlike non-physical assets, these precious metals offer tangible value that you can see and touch. This is an important feature for many everyday investors because they like having the peace of mind of knowing their hard assets are firmly in their personal possession — no matter what’s happening in the world.
How Much Platinum Should I Buy To Start Investing?
How much platinum you should buy depends on your budget, goals, beliefs, and risk tolerance.
There’s not a one-size-fits-all answer because everyone’s circumstances are unique.
Some begin with small investments to familiarize themselves with the market, while others choose a starting point based on their available budget and long-term goals.
It’s worth taking the time to research platinum’s role in the economy, evaluate market conditions, and determine your priorities to decide what’s right for you now.
Is Platinum A Good Investment In 2025?
As mentioned, platinum has enjoyed a surge in recent years, which could be due to factors like inflation and its practical use. While it tracks differently than other precious metals when compared to the value of the US Dollar, platinum enjoys a high demand for its technological & industrial uses — offering powerful reasons why it could be a smart hedge amid today’s uncertainties.
While short-term volatility exists, its value retention potential and liquidity remain attractive elements, especially for physical holdings or precious metals IRAs.
Can I Store Platinum At Home Instead Of A Depository?
Yes — Preserve Gold offers fast home delivery services for those using cash reserves to invest in personally held physical precious metals.
We do not offer home storage options for precious metals IRAs because this comes with several issues and risks that Preserve Gold is not comfortable with.
The IRS requires that all precious metals held in an IRA are stored at an approved depository. Depositories offer insured, tracked security.
It’s up to you to weigh convenience against risk. When you’re ready, you can use our live platinum price chart above to guide your next investment.
How Do I Sell Platinum?
We believe selling precious metals should be as easy as buying them.
That’s why Preserve Gold has a leading buyback program:
When you’re ready to sell your platinum, we will buy it at the highest price offered to us on the market. We also charge zero liquidation fees for clients who originally purchased their precious metals from us.
