 In 1786 , Charles III of Spain provided a library and laboratory to Pierre @-@ François Chabaneau to aid in his research of platinum . Chabaneau succeeded in removing various impurities from the ore , including gold , mercury , lead , copper , and iron . This led him to believe he was working with a single metal , but in truth the ore still contained the yet @-@ undiscovered platinum @-@ group metals . This led to inconsistent results in his experiments . At times , the platinum seemed malleable , but when it was alloyed with iridium , it would be much more brittle . Sometimes the metal was entirely incombustible , but when alloyed with osmium , it would volatilize . After several months , Chabaneau succeeded in producing 23 kilograms of pure , malleable platinum by hammering and compressing the sponge form while white @-@ hot . Chabeneau realized the infusibility of platinum would lend value to objects made of it , and so started a business with Joaquín Cabezas producing platinum ingots and utensils . This started what is known as the " platinum age " in Spain . 
