Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
How to Invest in Platinum in the UK 2025
Ruby Layram
26th Mar 2025
So, you’re thinking about investing in platinum? Good call! While everyone else is obsessing over gold and silver, you’re looking at one of the rarest and most intriguing precious metals on the planet.
But how exactly do you invest in platinum, and is it worth your hard-earned cash? Let’s break it down.
Why Invest in Platinum?
First things first—why platinum?
Well, for starters, it’s 30 times rarer than gold. That’s right, platinum isn’t just shiny; it’s exclusive.
It’s also an industrial powerhouse, used in everything from car exhaust systems (hello, catalytic converters) to jewelry and even medical equipment.
What does that mean for you? It means platinum has real-world demand that helps drive its value.
And when supply gets tight, prices can skyrocket.
Ways to Invest in Platinum
Alright, let’s talk about how to get some platinum in your portfolio. Here are the main ways you can do it:
1. Physical Platinum: Bars & Coins
If you like the idea of owning something you can actually touch, physical platinum is the way to go. You can buy:
- Platinum bars: These come in various sizes, from tiny 1g bars to hefty 1kg blocks.
- Platinum coins: Popular options include the American Platinum Eagle and the Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf.
Pro tip: If you’re buying physical platinum, you’ll need to think about storage. A home safe? A bank vault? Either way, security is key.
2. Platinum ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)
Not into handling physical metal? No problem. Platinum ETFs let you invest in platinum without dealing with storage or security issues.
These funds track the price of platinum, so if platinum prices go up, your investment grows.
Some popular platinum ETFs include:
- Aberdeen Standard Physical Platinum Shares ETF (PPLT)
- GraniteShares Platinum Trust (PLTM)
Platinum ETFs are best for investors who want a simple, hassle-free way to get exposure to platinum prices.
3. Platinum Mining Stocks
Are you able to take a bit more risk? Investing in platinum mining companies can be a smart move for growth investing.
These companies extract platinum from the earth, so their stock prices tend to rise when platinum prices climb.
Some top platinum mining companies include:
- Anglo American Platinum (ANGPY)
- Impala Platinum (IMPUY)
- Sibanye Stillwater (SBSW)
Mining stocks can be more volatile than physical platinum. If you like a little risk (and potential reward), this might be your lane.
4. Platinum Futures & Options
If you’re a bit more advanced (or love the thrill of market speculation), platinum futures and options let you bet on the future price of platinum.
These can be risky. Prices can swing wildly, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could lose money fast.
Futures are best left to the experts!
Platinum vs. Gold: Which Is Better?
Ah, the age-old question: platinum or gold? Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | Platinum | Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Rarity |  Rarer |
 Less rare |
| Industrial Use | High |
Lower |
| Price Stability | More volatile |
More stable |
| Historical Value | Less history |
Centuries of value |
Platinum can be more volatile than gold, but when the demand for industrial metals is high, it can outperform. Diversifying with both might be the smart move!
When Is the Best Time to Invest in Platinum?
Like any investment, timing is everything. Here are some clues that platinum prices might be ready to rise:
- Strong industrial demand: If car manufacturers are buying more platinum, that’s a good sign.
- Supply shortages: Platinum mining is concentrated in just a few countries, and disruptions can drive prices up.
- Gold price surges: Sometimes, when gold prices rise, platinum follows suit.
Keep an eye on platinum-to-gold ratios. If platinum is significantly cheaper than gold, it might be a bargain worth grabbing.
Risks of Investing in Platinum
Okay, so we’ve covered why platinum is a great investment- but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Here are some risks to watch out for:
- Price volatility: Platinum prices can swing up and down more than gold.
- Limited market: Fewer buyers and sellers compared to gold or silver.
- Industrial dependence : If industries switch to alternative metals, demand (and prices) could drop.
The Bottom Line
So, should you invest in platinum? If you’re looking for a rare, industrially useful metal that could have serious upside, platinum is worth considering.
Whether you go for physical platinum, ETFs, mining stocks, or futures, there’s an option that fits your style.
Platinum is a high-risk, high-reward investment. If you have a long-term mindset and a taste for something different, it might just be the shiny new asset your portfolio needs.
Do you want to learn more about investing? To keep on top of the latest developments in the wider investing sphere sign up to the fortnightly MoneyMagpie Investing Newsletter. It’s free and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence. Companies listed above are not necessarily endorsed by Money Magpie. When investing your capital is at risk.
Leave a Reply