It is resistant to wear and corrosion. This corrosion resistance allows a simple test for metals in the platinum group. A sample heated to bright red will remain bright and shiny when cooled. This also means the platinum group metals may be soldered without the use of fluxes. The higher melting point of platinum requires an oxygen-fuel style torch for soldering and casting.
Palladium is used in alloys with gold or platinum in expensive jewelry.
Rhodium, a metal in the platinum group, is often used for plating over white gold to add toughness. It has a highly reflective surface, second only to silver. Iridium is added to platinum to add even further toughness. Osmium, plated onto manufactured goods, adds wear resistance to contact surfaces. Blue Ocean Jewellery Limited .