When people hear the term, noble metal, they commonly think of precious metals. Although the name suggests superiority, noble metals are not all precious according to the technical physics definition. However, those who make this assumption wouldn’t be entirely wrong. Virtually all noble metals are in fact, precious, such as gold and silver. But noble metals and precious metals are not synonymous to one another. Continue reading to learn more about noble metals.

Noble Metals

Noble metals include both precious and non-ferrous metals. Non-ferrous metals do not contain iron, so they are resistant to several elements and subsequent damage, including humidity, chemicals, oxidation, and more. Precious metals are naturally-occurring and retain higher economic value. Noble metals are metals that are resistant to corrosion and oxidation in moist conditions, namely humidity. Copper is the only non-precious metal that is also a noble metal by the actual physics definition. But this is arguable since copper is vulnerable to both corrosion and oxidation.

A more complete list of noble metals include:

✓ Gold
✓ Platinum
✓ Silver
✓ Rhodium
✓ Osmium
✓ Ruthenium
✓ Iridium
✓ Palladium
✓ Mercury
✓ Rhenium
✓ Copper

Noble metals are important because they are highly useful in advanced technologies, metallurgy, and ornamentation (jewelry and decor). They are high in value because they are so rare.

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