During
the summer of 1887, when the price of refined platinum rose
significantly, inquiry was made as to sources from which the crude
material could be obtained. After dealers in this country had learned
that it is very difficult to get any crude platinum from the operators
of the Ural mines, efforts were made to obtain this material from the
Pacific coast. American consumers of platinum employed agents in Oregon
and Washington to look for platinum among the placer gold workings. As
a result, 448 ounces of platinum in all were sold in New York, Boston,
San Francisco, and elsewhere, for $1,838. It has become the prevalent
opinion that considerable platinum may thus be obtained if it is saved
from the tailings.
In
Oregon platinum has been found, especially in the placers near Waldo,
Josephine county; near Port Orford and Eckley, Curry county, and near
Randolph, Coos county. At Port Orford and Randolph it occurs in the "
black sand" mines on the sea beach.
A
reduction in the price of foreign platinum from $7.50 to $6.80 per
ounce lessened the demand, since scrap platinum could then be worked
over almost as cheaply as the crude material, and little attention has
since been paid to the matter.
The
exports and imports of platinum, principally as sheets and wire, are
given below. The uses for this metal are increasing. A use involving a
large and steady consumption of platinum wire is for stems on porcelain
teeth. It is estimated that 40,000 ounces of platinum are thus consumed
in the United States yearly.
Value of platinum exports.
