For thousands of years, metals have not only played an important role in jewelry making, but also in business and technology. Some metals are extremely rare, difficult to extract and therefore particularly valuable. However, it is not only the high price of metals that is remarkable, but also the wide variety of properties and therefore areas of application. In addition to investments, metals are also used in the industrial sector and in medicine. Below is an overview of the most valuable metals in the world and what makes them so special.
The most important in a nutshell
- Osmium is the most expensive metal in the world with a price per gram of 2055.65 euros, followed by rhodium (188.36 euros per gram) and iridium (127.32 euros per gram)
- Numerous valuable metals are mainly used in the automotive industry and medical technology
- The world's most valuable metals are much more than just luxury goods; they are raw materials of great importance for innovation, mobility and high-tech devices
What are metals?
Metals are chemical elements and are characterized by properties such as high conductivity of electricity and heat as well as metallic luster and formability.
Metals are divided into, for example
- Precious metals (e.g. gold, silver, platinum)
- Base metals (e.g. zinc, iron)
- Heavy metals and light metals
How are metals formed?
Metals are naturally conditioned and arise in a wide variety of forms. These are extracted through mining. However, the majority of metals are found bound in minerals and therefore not in pure form, which are referred to as ores in technical jargon.
The most expensive metals in the table
The most expensive metal in the world is osmium with a price per gram of 2055.65 euros, followed by rhodium (188.35 euros per gram) and iridium (127.32 euros per gram). The well-known precious metal gold is only in fourth place with a price of 92.51 euros per gram.
| Platz | Metal | Price per gram in Euro |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Osmium | 2055,65 |
| 2 | Rhodium | 188,35 |
| 3 | Iridium | 127,32 |
| 4 | Gold | 92,51 |
| 5 | Platinum | 39,07 |
| 6 | Palladium | 34,70 |
| 7 | Ruthenium | 22,26 |
- Osmium (price per gram: 2055.65 euros)
Osmium is the most expensive metal in the world. The price of one gram of osmium is 2,055.65 euros per gram.
Osmium is considered extremely rare and is difficult to counterfeit due to its special crystal structure. The metal is used in special areas due to its high density. In addition to artificial heart valves and pacemakers, osmium is used as a catalyst for hydrogenation processes. used.
- Rhodium (price per gram: 188.35 euros)
The second most expensive metal in the world is rhodium with a price of 188 euros per gram. The metal is considered to be particularly conductive in terms of heat and electricity. In addition, the so-called reflectivity is higher compared to other platinum metals. Rhodium alloys or the pure metal are used in laboratory equipment, heating coils and vehicle catalytic converters.
- Iridium (price per gram: 127.32 euros)
Iridium comes third in the ranking of the most expensive metals in the world with a unit price per gram of 127.32 euros. Iridium is characterized by its high density, high melting point and high resistance. Application Iridium is often found in spark plugs, in the manufacture of laboratory equipment and in cancer treatments.
- Gold (price per gram: 92.51 euros)
Fourth place goes to the precious metal Gold with a price per gram of 92.51 euros. Gold is not only used in portfolios as a supposed "safe haven", but is also used in many industrial applications due to its extremely high density and good conductivity as well as its malleability and ductility.
Gold is also only used as jewelry or as an investment, but finds for example in electrical engineering (conductors), in medicine (teeth) or aerospace (protection against radiation).
- Platinum (price per gram: 39.07 euros)
With a price per gram of 39.70 euros, platinum is the fifth most valuable metal in the world.
Application Platinum is used in jewelry, vehicle catalytic converters, dental implants and laboratory equipment. The precious metal is extremely resistant to corrosion.
- Palladium (price per gram: 34.70 euros)
The price per gram of palladium is 37.40 euros, which corresponds to sixth place. The metal is mainly used in the production of catalytic converters for gasoline engines, where it partially replaces platinum.
The precious metal is also used in the jewelry industry, electronics and medical technology as well as hydrogen technology. applied.
- Ruthenium (price per gram: 22.26 euros)
Ruthenium is in seventh place in the ranking of the world's most valuable metals with a price of 22.26 euros per gram.
Application The metal is also used as a catalyst in the chemical industry as well as in electronics, medicine and solar cells.
Conclusion: osmium, rhodium and iridium more valuable than gold
The most expensive metals in the world are characterized in particular by their rarity and not least by their special properties. Osmium is at the top of the list, followed by rhodium, iridium and gold. Osmium, rhodium and iridium belong to an exclusive group of metals and are considered to be particularly heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant. These metals are used in medical technology, the automotive sector, the electronics industry and in jewelry.
Gold is probably the best-known precious metal and is valued not only as a store of value, but also because of its special electrical conductivity.
Moreover, the high prices of metals are likely to reflect not only their market value, but also their indispensable role in areas such as industry and medicine.
The world's most valuable metals are therefore much more than just luxury goods, but serve as raw materials of great importance for innovation, mobility and high-tech devices.
