10 most expensive metals in the world - ranking for 2021

The role of metals in the development of mankind cannot be overestimated. From ancient times to the present day, the need for metals is only growing, because their use is large-scale and limitless. They play a key role in all spheres of our lives: the production of technology and electronics, the chemical industry, the automotive industry, the aerospace and defense industry, medicine and pharmaceuticals, and much more.

Photo: rostov.metalkom.rf

There are a large number of different metals in the world. Based on their chemical composition, they are all divided into two main groups:

• Black (iron, cast iron, steel).
• Colored (aluminum, copper, silver, gold, platinum, etc.).

Precious metals are classified as a separate category and, in addition to being used in the jewelry industry, they are the basis of the global financial market.

When you mention the most expensive metals, many may think of the most popular precious minerals: gold or platinum. In fact, there are much more valuable options on the world's commodity exchanges. The cost of metals depends on many factors. The greatest influence on the price is exerted by the amount of world reserves and the complexity of production.

We present a ranking of the 10 most expensive metals in the world. Their prices change quickly on exchanges, so approximate prices for 2021 are indicated.

Gold

One of the most “ancient” precious metals. Archaeologists have found gold jewelry dating back to the Neolithic era, but this metal was most actively used in the civilizations of Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt, from where it came to Greece and Rome.

In addition to its historical value, as the oldest exchange equivalent in trade, gold is valued for its physical and chemical qualities - density, softness, inertness, high oxidation resistance and thermal conductivity.

That is why gold is used in the manufacture of precision and highly sensitive electronics; metal connections and solder points on circuit boards are coated with gold to avoid corrosion.

And thanks to the amazingly rich yellow color, gold jewelry is especially valuable and recognizable. The cost of 1 gram of gold starts from 40 USD and depends on the fineness of the metal.

The most expensive metals in the world are laboratory isotopes Osmium and California. Their value lies in the methods of production and the special properties of the metal.

Platinum / (~ 30 USD per 1 gram)

Despite the fact that platinum has long been valued more than gold, in recent years this precious metal has lost its position a little and let gold pass ahead. The first recorded mentions of platinum were associated with the conquistadors, who found it among the indigenous tribes of South America. Before the value of platinum was universally recognized, counterfeiters often diluted it with gold to create alloys. Now such coins are of great value to collectors.

The name of this chemical element is translated from Latin as a diminutive form of the word silver. The melting point of platinum is 2041.4 degrees Celsius, clearly indicating refractoriness. Main production countries: South Africa, the United States of America, Russia and Zimbabwe. Platinum, its alloys and derivatives are actively used in medicine, the production of high-tech and high-precision equipment, and jewelry.

The largest platinum nugget in history was discovered in 1843 in Russia in the Urals. It was named “Russia” and its weight was as much as 9 kilograms 635 grams.

Unfortunately, this giant has not survived to this day and was melted down.

Silver / Ag (~ 0.5 USD per 1 gram)

Our top 10 opens with silver, called argentum in Latin. Silver has been known to mankind since ancient times because it can be found in nature in the form of nuggets, and it does not require any chemical processes to obtain. The metallic color itself is named after Argentum - silver.

Silver is a noble metal with a melting point of 962 degrees Celsius. It has the highest thermal conductivity of all known metals. It is widely used in the production of electrical engineering and electrical equipment, jewelry, and is included in the composition of various high-tech alloys used in a wide variety of areas of human activity.

Silver has long been known for its antibacterial properties; it can be used to destroy about 700 types of different bacteria.

Even on space stations, all water is purified with silver, and some housewives throw silver coins into milk to extend its shelf life.

Where are they used?

Unlike other industry segments, the metallurgy of “less familiar” elements endures crises calmly. This is natural: the material is mined in limited quantities, expensive, and always in demand.

Not used in its pure form: too expensive. Only as a component of alloys or an alloying additive.

Traditional spheres

Areas of use of rare material:

• Nuclear energy. Uranium and thorium are fuel for nuclear power plants. Today it is the most environmentally friendly form of energy.

  
  Heavy silvery-white shiny metal - uranium

• Radio electronics, mechanical engineering, instrument engineering. Steels and alloys with tungsten and other components as alloying additives are involved here.

  
  Refractory durable metal, light gray in color - tungsten

• Khimprom. Component of varnishes, paints, catalyst.
• Oil production and refining. Catalysts.
• Glass industry. Microadditives of lanthanum, neodymium, and praseodymium increase the transparency of glass many times over.
• Jewelry making. Gold and platinum are the materials used in premium-segment jewelry.

  
  Gold

These are also alloys for the needs of the space and defense complex (guns, shells), explosives.

New directions

In the new millennium, the use of lithium as a material for compact, powerful batteries and magnets has come to the fore:

• Electric vehicles, smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets are supplied with rechargeable batteries.
• Magnets are present in “green” energy objects (solar panels, wind turbines), cars with a hybrid engine, and monitors.

  
  Alkali metal Lithium

Generation 2.0 material – magnetic plastic. It is used to make mini-speakers, flexible panels, and advertising “infrastructure.”

California-282 is in demand by geologists, nuclear physicists, and medicine.

No. 9 – Rhenium

The fact of the existence of rhenium was predicted by Mendeleev half a century before its discovery by a group of German scientists. Due to its rather unique physical properties - rhenium has one of the highest melting points, it is used in large quantities in the chemical industry and electronics, where this quality is especially important. The metal costs about five dollars per gram, and the main reserves are located in Chile.

No. 1 – California-252

The world supply of this artificially produced miracle is only 8 grams! The price is appropriate - from 4 million dollars and above. There is such an amount of energy in a gram of this metal that it can easily put a solid nuclear reactor to shame. In addition to nuclear energy, cheaper isotopes of californium are used in the treatment of cancer.

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No. 10 – Scandium

This rare earth metal bears its name in honor of Scandinavia, where it was discovered in the last quarter of the 19th century and where its largest deposits are located. The main areas of application are a variety of high-tech: from the construction of rockets and satellites to lasers and robots. Also, due to its enviable strength, metal is often used in the production of premium sports equipment. Pure scandium is not used in jewelry, but its oxide is used to produce cubic zirconia. The metal costs about three dollars per gram.

Where and how are they mined?

The source of rare material is natural ores:

• Almost always it is a conglomerate of components.
• The share of metals is calculated in thousandths or less than fractions of a percent.
• The standard method of extraction is closed (mine), less often - open pit.

The main supplier of raw materials to the world market is China. He dictates the layout, nomenclature, prices. The main consumer is the USA.

The number one Russian source of rare raw materials is the Kola Peninsula. Its ores containing titanium account for 40% of the country's proven reserves.

Rod composed of high purity titanium crystals

Which metal is the heaviest?

To determine which is heavier, you need to compare atomic weights and see which has a higher density. According to these indicators, osmium and iridium, which is inferior to it by fractions of cubic centimeters, are considered the heaviest today. Imagine: an osmium cube with eight-centimeter sides weighs almost 12 kg!

I suggest you look at the photo of the heaviest metal:

And this is iridium:

Handsome, aren't they?

Palladium / Pd (~ 19 USD per 1 gram)

Next on our list of the 10 most expensive metals is palladium. It was discovered by chemist William Wollaston in 1803, who was able to isolate the element from platinum ore. Palladium indirectly received its name in honor of one of the most revered goddesses in the myths of ancient Greece, Pallas Athena.

Palladium is a heavy metal with a silvery tint. Its production occurs as a result of the processing of several ores: copper, nickel and silver. The melting point of palladium is 1555 degrees Celsius. The largest deposits of this chemical element are in Russia, which is also the largest supplier of palladium in the world. This metal is used in the engineering industry (automotive catalysts), jewelry, medicine, electronics, and the production of high-precision instruments. Palladium is a generally recognized precious metal, traded on world exchanges. Most of the medals awarded to outstanding scientists and athletes are made from it.

Osmium

The metal is silvery-light in color, shimmering blue. Part of the platinum group, it is considered one of the denser elements. Characterized by hardness. Os is a brittle metal, but it is characterized by resistance to mechanical stress and the influence of an acidic environment. Scientists have documented the presence of osmium in metal meteorites. Forming an ideal composition with other elements, it is widely used in medicine, electronics, chemistry and petrochemistry, rocket science, and is widely used in the production of pens.

No. 3 – Rhodium

The main properties of this noble metal are its powerful ability to reflect light and resistance to environmental influences, which is why rhodium is added to a wide variety of jewelry alloys. The automotive industry also actively uses its beneficial qualities. In Rwanda, rhodium coins are used as a means of payment, and the price of this miracle reaches two hundred dollars per gram, making it the most expensive natural metal.