Precious Metals are rare, naturally occurring metallic elements with high economic value. They are unusual in that they are both industrial elements and investments. Manufacturers use these metals to make electronic components, jewelry, dental equipment and catalytic converters among other things. Investors, on the other hand, collect coins and bars made out of precious metals.This second use – as investments – makes precious metals the objects of intense speculation in commodity markets. Precious metals traders see these commodities as a form of money that holds its value better than printed paper money. Skeptics, however, argue that precious metals are simply rocks with little utility beyond their limited industrial uses. Ironically, the high premium placed on precious metals by traders makes them too expensive and impractical for most industrial applications.