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!
Grapefruit..nice and cold.
Favorite cold treat is eating Italian water ice sharing it with kids that are less fortunate on a hot day to cool off there warm bodies and hearts favouring the flavors of this cold treat that they don’t normally get to enjoy..
I make it my life’s work to pay it forward for so many has done for me..
Rodney Kerley SFC USARMY Retired
Stepping inside from an assaulting hot and humid day into an a/c cooled environment. That immediate sweet cold kiss on my hot & sweaty body.
Ice tea
Iced coffee!
Rootbeer float!
Gin and tonic. Preferably with lots of botanicals.
Give me an Iced Coffee any day. Oh Yeah !!!
Provident is a great place to buy silver.
A large cold brew coffee!
A nice bowl of ice cream is the best thing for really cooling off one’s body.
Coca Cola Slurpeeeee!
A running canon ball into the center of the pool!
A slab of ribs and cold beer sitting on the beach watching the sunset.
An ice cold watermelon with a sprinkle of salt over it!
An ice cold can of brew!
Going just outside of town to purchase cream from a small dairy farmer and returning home to hand crank some homemade ice cream.
Summertime fun with my family, swimming and ice cream with my baby grandson, best of all!
A nice pineapple lime and rum mixed drink sounds good today! Nearing 100° on the east coast today!
A tall glass of iced tea and floating in the pool in the company of my family.
A frothy mustache made of the foam from my favorite ale.
Gatorade and watermelon!
On a hot summer day, a nice cool lemonade. Gold in color like my precious metals!
Boulevard Pale Ale
Nothing beats a un-sweet Ice Tea from Mcds
Don’t knock it til ya try it!!
Root Beer float
Chocolate milk frozen to a slush….gotta love the brain freeze!
Chocolate-covered ice cream bar!
Hanging out by the creek with an ice cold PBR.
Cold glass of ice water.