A
comparison of the tables of imports by countries for 1915 and 1916
shows the decline of supplies received from Europe and the increase of
crude platinum from Colombia. The unmanufactured platinum imported in
1916 from Chile and Mexico may have been from stocks and not from
mines; that from Venezuela and Panama-was possibly derived from
Colombian mines. The table for 1916 shows, apparently, that some
platinum was produced from the Bra-zillian deposits in that year—a
production greatly to be desired in view of the decline of the output
from Russia.
MARKET AND PRICES.
REFINED METALS.
The
price of refined platinum in the New York market has been very erratic.
Beginning at $90 a troy ounce in January, 1916, the price increased 75
cents an ounce to March, when it began to decline and reached $55, the
lowest for the year, in August. Buying for the Christmas jewelry trade
in September brought a strong reaction and quotations rose to an
average of $101.25 for November, with a maximum of $105 at the end of
the month. In December quotations were easier and the year closed with
platinum at about $82 an ounce. The average monthly quotations are
given below.
