astatic phonograph needles

[pinman]

i took apart a couple of old phonograph needles, they are aluminum shells riveted with brass with 2 flat wires in them. i initially thought they were gold but after heating them with a lighter it burnt off a yellow film of some sort and displayed a bright white color. they are extremely pliable, and do not react to ap.
is there any reason they would be palladium or platinum?

 

[jimdoc]

I wouldn't heat phonograph needles like that as many are supposed to contain osmium.That is the one PGM you don't want to mess around with.Look them up by part number or some other way to try and determine what they are. The wires should be safe to test with acids or heat, just be careful with the needle.
Jim

 

[qst42know]

If working they may be worth well more than they contain in metals.

 

[pinman]

true, but they were definitely not in working order.