Platinum is a naturally occurring white precious metal. Platinum was discovered by humans as early as 700 BC and has been considered one of the most noble metals throughout the over 2000 year history of human use.

In mineral classification, platinum group element minerals belong to the natural platinum subgroup, including natural element minerals such as iridium, rhodium, palladium, and platinum. Platinum group element minerals are all equiaxed crystal systems, with very few single crystals, occasionally appearing as small grains of cubic or octahedral shapes.