Literary notes about platinum (AI summary)
In literary descriptions the term "platinum" is sometimes employed not just to denote a material but to evoke a distinctive, understated hue. For instance, a platinum film is characterized as having a neutral, greyish‐black tint with a subtle iridescence that lends a cool, refined quality to the imagery [1]. Similarly, recipes for creating beautiful, charming tints with platinum baths show how this color, derived from chemical techniques, is prized for its delicate and modern appeal [2]. In this way, platinum is used in literature to suggest elegance, modernity, and a quiet luminosity that enhances the atmosphere of a scene.
- The colour of the platinum film is of a neutral greyish black, and it often shows at the same time a faint iridescence.
— from Shifts and Expedients of Camp Life, Travel & Exploration by Thomas Baines - Most charming tints are produced with platinum baths, a good formula being Strong nitric acid 5 drops Water 4 ounces Chloro-platinite of potassium 1
— from Henley's Twentieth Century Formulas, Recipes and Processes
