The Recycling Entrepreneur
 

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(C) Scott D. Andrews 18 January, 2002

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In This Month's Issue...
 

1. Welcome to a New Year
 

2. Book Review - "Silver Bonanza" by James U. Blanchard III    ISBN: 0-671-50297-2
 

3. Trivia - The Origins of "Sterling"
 

4. Platinum and the Platinum Group Metals
 

5. Coming next month -

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*** Section 1 ***

Welcome to the January issue of The Recycling Entrepreneur, the monthly newsletter devoted to those interested in the subject of recycling for profit. No, let's make that recycling for OBSCENE PROFITS!
 

Are you a new subscriber to this FREE publication?

If so, review the past issues in the recycling newsletter archive.

Big things are starting to take place in the metals markets,

especially in the area of metals "leasing". Lease rates have gone in the past month from the lowest interest rate in the commercial world (0.5% per annum) to the highest (30% p.a.)! Mind you, this is within just the last 30 days or so.
 

Still don't know or understand the meaning of "silver leasing" and its implications? Go here for the best explanation of it and why it is one of the greatest government sanctioned scams perpetrated upon us, the trusting public.

Regardless, if the signs portend the start of a new bull market in precious metals, NOW is the time to kick your recycling efforts into high gear!

So update those New Year's resolutions with a commitment to start (or improve your existing) business this year.
 

If you have questions or suggestions as to what you'd like to see covered , let me know and I'll do my best to address it. I intend to do periodic reviews of other authors' recycling-related books as well.

Remember, this ezine is designed to be support material for "The Recycler's Library". If you are not currently an owner of the manuals, please review the information. Do you NEED my recycling publications? ...ONLY if you don't want to spend 20+ years learning through hands-on experience, the way I did!

*** Section 2 ***

Book Review - "Silver Bonanza" by James U. Blanchard III
               ISBN: 0-671-50297-2

This classic book was published in 1993 and, although dated,ranks as a must-have for any serious student of the precious metals and, by association, the recycling markets.

Mr. Blanchard is widely know in the precious metals fields, particularly in the area of numismatics. His qualifications in this area are unquestioned and his words carry great weight, and rightfully so.

As a prognosticator, however, he has about as dismal a track record as most of us. But, then, who could have foreseen the powerful special-interest groups and their almost supernatural ability to influence and control the silver market, with the (so-called) government's blessing?

Mr. Blanchard's track record, however abysmal, is not relevant to our discussion of his book, however. The value of this book from my standpoint, is as an excellent introduction to the history, properties, and inherent value of the reflective metal.

The first few chapters outline the almost infinite number of uses of silver in modern technology. He then goes on to discuss the supply and demand situation extant at that time, which has since only gotten worse. He outlines the impact of Asian (and particularly Indian) demand, gives a great primer on the gold-silver ratio and its importance, and then addresses many investment options and scenarios.

He talks about silver mining companies and their stocks, as well as options and futures. There is an interesting section on the remonetization of silver, and what to expect in the future.

This book originally sold for $25.00, and many precious metals dealers have sold it for as much as $75.00 after it went out of publication. You can now find copies at places like half.com and amazon.com for as low as $5.00!! Bottom line: get yourself a copy ASAP. This is an excellent reference which you WILL learn something valuable from. Definitely a "top-shelf" book for your knowledge base.

*** Section 3 ***
 

Trivia Question - Where did the term "sterling" originate?
 

Answer: The name Sterling Silver designates an alloy consisting of at least 92.5% pure silver by weight. This is referred to as: .925, 925/1000, 925/1000s, or simply 925.

Coin silver (90% fine), by comparison, is designated or stamped as "coin", "coin silver", 900, or 900/1000. Items manufactured in the U.S. prior to 1906 can be just about anything (regardless of how they're stamped) because the Congress did not pass a national gold or silver act until that time.

The origin of the term "Sterling Silver" is shrouded in mystery. The term dates back to medieval Great Britain, where immigrant Germans (Easterlings, or 'from the East') were motivated to mine and refine silver for coinage. They produced a "penny" coin which consisted of 92.5% pure silver and weighed about 20 grains.

Rumor has it that a statute in 1343 dropped the first two letters of "Easterling", and the term sterling originated.

Other explanations include the term having come from the stars imprinted on the coins (Steorling, or coin with a star), or from the four birds, starlings, on the coins of Edward the Confessor.
 

As Paul Harvey says, now you know the rest of the story!
 

Next month's question: Just how rare are the Precious Metals?

*** Section 4 ***
 

Platinum and the platinum-group metals... The basics: (From Johnson-Matthey)

The six platinum group metals (pgm) are chemically very similar. Platinum, iridium and osmium are the densest known metals, platinum being 11 per cent denser than gold and about twice the weight of the same volume of silver or lead. Palladium, rhodium and ruthenium are lighter, palladium having about the same density as silver.

Platinum and Palladium are soft, ductile and resistant to oxidation and high temperature corrosion. They have widespread catalytic uses. In industry they are often used with the addition of other metals, including other pgm.

Rhodium and Iridium are difficult to work, but are valuable alone as well as in alloys. Their chemical compounds have many uses, and rhodium is a particularly good catalyst.

Ruthenium and Osmium are hard, brittle and almost unworkable in the metallic state, with poor oxidation resistance, but are valuable as additions to other metals,usually other pgm, and as catalysts.

Platinum Palladium Rhodium

Chemical symbol Pt Pd Rh

Density (g/cm3) 21.45 12.02 12.41

Melting point (°C) 1,769 1,554 1,960

Vickers hardness no.* 41 41 101

Electrical resistivity

(microhm.cm at 0°C) 9.85 9.93 4.33

Thermal conductivity

(watts/metre/°C) 73 76 150

Tensile strength*

(kg/mm2) 14 17 71
 

Iridium Ruthenium Osmium

Chemical symbol Ir Ru Os

Density (g/cm3) 22.65 12.45 22.61

Melting point (°C) 2,443 2,310 3,050

Vickers hardness no.* 220 240 350

Electrical resistivity

(microhm.cm at 0°C) 4.71 6.80 8.12

Thermal conductivity

(watts/metre/°C) 148 105 87

Tensile strength*

(kg/mm2) 112 165 -

...continued next month. Want to know where to sell alloyed rhodium - in small quantities?
 

*** Section 5 ***

Coming next month - More on the Platinum Group Metals; I review "Recovery of Gold, Silver, and the Platinum Group Metals from Electronic Scrap", US Junk Coin values and Trading Ratios. Have a great month!
 

P.S. - Last month's question: Which metal has the potential to solve our energy problems?
 

Answer: Check out this article in SILVER and newly developed silver superconducting transmission lines!