Science, Tech, Math › Science Chart of Noble Metals and Precious Metals Share Flipboard Email Print Science Chemistry Basics Chemical Laws Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. our editorial process Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Updated October 03, 2017 Chart of Noble Metals and Precious Metals This chart shows the noble and precious metals. Tomihahndorf/wikimedia commons/Creative Commons License This chart shows the noble metals and precious metals. Characteristics of Noble Metals The noble metals typically resist corrosion and oxidation in humid air. Usually noble metals are said to include ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, osmium, iridium, platinum and gold. Some texts list gold, silver and copper as the noble metals, excluding all others. Copper is a noble metal according to the physics definition of noble metals, although it corrodes and oxidizes in moist air, so is not very noble from a chemical standpoint. Sometimes mercury is called a noble metal. Characteristics of Precious Metals Many of the noble metals are precious metals, which are naturally-occurring elemental metals that have a high economic value. Precious metals were used as currency in the past, but now are more of an investment. Platinum, silver and gold are precious metals. Other platinum group metals, less used for coinage but often found in jewelry, also may be considered precious metals. These metals are ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium and iridium.