Fred Blythe, age 13, of Barre, Vt., for his question:

WHERE DO WE FIND PLATINUM?

Platinum is a previous silver white metal that is even more valuable than gold. Leading platinum producing country in the world is Russia followed, in order, by South Africa, Canada, Colombia and the United States.

In the United States, platinum is found in the gold bearing deposits in California, Nevada and Oregon. A large amount is also found in the process of refining gold and copper.

The United States consumes close to 700,000 troy ounces of platinum each year. About one sixth of this comes from its own mines and from scrap. The rest is imported.

Platinum is one of the heaviest substances known. A given quantity of platinum weighs about 21 times as much as an equal quantity of water.

An Italian scientist named Julius Scaliger discovered platinum back in 1557. But fairly large quantities were not discovered until about 1750 when the Spaniards found it in Peru. They named the metal platinum, from their word plata, meaning silver.

The ore, called native, or crude platinum, usually occurs in beds of gold bearing sand. Miners call it white gold. Native platinum contains from 60 to 85 percent pure platinum.

The small, irregular grains that contain the ore also contain other rare metals, such as iridium, osmium, palladium, rhodium and ruthenium. The grains also contain small amounts of iron, copper, chromium and titanium.

Occasionally, a large nugget of native platinum will be found. In 1843, a lump weighing over 21 pounds was found in Russia.

Platinum is a favorite material for use in expensive jewelry. Its strength, hardness, color and freedom from tarnish make it ideal for gem settings. Platinum is also used on the best surgical instruments.

Platinum also has extensive uses in many industries.

Chemical laboratories often use platinum containers because the metal resists heat and chemicals. For the same reason, platinum parts are sometimes used in large scale production equipment.

Platinum serves as an effective catalyst, which is a substance that speeds up chemical reactions. Automobile manufacturers use platinum in an emission control device called a catalytic converter. The platinum helps to convert certain harmful pollutants into nonpollutants.

The oil industry also uses platinum to help break down fractions or parts of petroleum to produce gasoline of higher octane number.

Platinum is also used as a catalyst in making various chemicals, such as acetic acid and nitric acid.

The glass industry uses platinum to make dies for fiberglass.

An alloy of platinum with iridium makes an excellent surface for fine engravings.