Hello summer heat! By now, you’re probably seeking the comfort of swimming pools, popsicles, and cool beverages to fight off the blistering sun. In fact, sometimes being out in the summertime makes you feel just like you’re going to melt!
Fortunately, cold water and air conditioning usually does the trick. But the rising temperature has made us think about melting metals, since it’s such a key part of the refining process. Did you know that each metal has a unique melting point? And by the way, a melting point is the temperature a metal must be exposed to before it liquifies.
Here are some melting points for the most common precious metals, from lowest to highest.
- 14k Gold: 1,615℉
- Sterling Silver: 1,640℉
- 10k Gold: 1,665℉
- 18k Gold: 1,700℉
- Pure Silver: 1,761℉
- 24k Gold: 1,945℉
- Copper: 1,981℉
- Palladium: 2,831℉
- Platinum: 3,224℉
As you can see, the melting points of various gold and silver purities are pretty comparable. And palladium and platinum require much higher temperatures before they’ll melt.
For reference, an average house fire burns at about 1,112℉, so the heat needed to melt precious metals is quite substantial. That being said, bullion can still undergo damage in the event of a fire, so it’s recommended that you store them in a fireproof/waterproof safe (if you choose to store metals at home).
What’s your favorite cold treat on a hot summer day? Commenting below will serve as your entry for our July giveaway. But remember to keep it classy; inappropriate comments will be deleted and disqualified. Submit your comment (one comment only please) by July 29, 2018. One winner will be randomly selected on July 30, 2018 to receive a 2018 Silver Krugerrand from the South African Mint.
Good luck and stay cool this summer!
A slurpee
An ice cold beer in my underwear.
Either way, it works.
My favorite treat on a hot day is ice cream.
Lemonade!
Fresh non gmo organic juice mix
Many times this has so much to do with your geographical location, the good people of Florida may enjoy some of their own sweet orange juice, while folks to the west in Mississippi may like Ice cold Tea!
However! No matter where you are in this amazing country of ours, you can go wrong with a nice glass of ICED COCA COLA.
Ice cold beer in a cold mug!
A Lemon Italian Ice from Ralph’s Italian Ices in Sayville NY
Cold water
Ice cream!
Gatorade powder + crisp clean water + freezer = the most thirst-quenching and flavorful slushie around to cool even the hottest day down.
Iced tea with a rig of fresh mint. Cool and soothing.
Cold beverage and a big bonfire
An ice cold beer
Watermelon!
Peach milkshake from chick-fil-a
vanilla drum stick with nuts on it and if i cant have that then any ice cream sandwhich will do.
Smoothies are great!!
Count my vote for ice cream, homemade if possible!
Just a popcicle please.
A Hostess Apple Pie just out of the freezer! MMMMM, the pie doesn’t freeze like a brick, SO REFRESHING.Yum, yum!!!!!!!!
Ice cream, the real stuff. Not the stuff with all the added crap. Like bullion, .9999 fine ice cream.
Plain Iced Tea or Ice water. I live in Phoenix. Sugary drinks dont wor in AZ heat.
I’m in Florida and ultimately my favorite treat for the heat is a coconut and cinnamon ice cream. They definitely cool you down
Fresh sliced ripe Georgia peaches with cold butter pecan ice cream. Heaven in the south! Dave
Home made ice cream with fresh raspberries on top !!!
Fresh squeezed Lime juice in Ice Cold Water, with some floating ice cubes, in a big thick tall glass, and a long small spoon, to stir in some sugar, making sound, before sipping in, to enjoy its fresh natural flavor… Your thirst shall be quenched!
Ice, ice and more ice
Snowball but of course.
Ice cold iced tea!