Have you ever wondered what the most valuable and expensive metals are in this world? Probably, gold will come to mind in a snap maybe because that is one of the most common metals we have come to know of. You are right, gold is one of them, but did you know that there are other metals more precious than gold?
For your knowledge, other valuable metals like rhodium and platinum are more expensive despite the fact that their market prices are down recently. And yet, according to a list by the Business Insider showcasing the most precious metals on earth (by weight), Californium tops them all.
Anyhow, here is a list of the topmost precious metals in the world for your added knowledge and appreciation.
1. Rhodium
This element is silvery-colored and extremely rare, and it is generally used for its reflective properties. So, this metal makes a component in making objects such as mirrors, search lights and jewelry finish.
It is also an essential property in the automotive industry and other industrial areas. Rhodium has an amazing ability to resist corrosion and has a high melting point. The largest producers of this precious metal are South Africa, Russia and Canada.
2. Platinum
Platinum is one of the commonly known valuable metals attributing to its density, malleability and non-corrosive properties. Similar to palladium, this metal can withstand large quantities of hydrogen.
South Africa, Russia and Canada and other mineral processing countries are the largest producers of platinum. It is mainly used in jewelry making due to its luster and extraordinary resistance, although it is also being used in weaponry, dentistry and aeronautics.
3. Gold
Up to this day, gold still remains to be one of the most popular precious metals and investment option because of its durability, malleability and desirability. It is naturally found in rocks and mineral stones, so gold is segregated through mining and panning whereby the metal is removed using a combination of chemical processes and smelting as well as gold refining.
Its largest producers are South Africa, the United States, Australia and China. Apparently, this element is most widely used as jewelry. But it also has its importance in the industrial aspect due its highly conductive properties.
4. Ruthenium
Ruthenium has the properties found in platinum as this metal is a member of the platinum element. Its largest producers are Russia, Canada and North and South America.
When added as alloy to platinum and palladium, it strengthens hardness and resistance. Ruthenium is becoming widely used in the electronic field as a component to plate electric contacts effectively.
5. Iridium
Still a member of platinum metals, this whitish-looking metal is the most extreme kind because of its exceptionally high melting point. In addition, it is one of densest elements ever and is considered the metal with the highest resistance to corrosion.
Iridium is produced from platinum and a by-product of nickel mining. South Africa is the largest producer of this precious metal. It has its contributions to advancements in medicine, automobile industry and electronics.
6. Osmium
Another one of the densest elements on earth is the bluish-silver looking metal that is osmium. With its hard and brittle properties, it also has a very high melting point.
Some parts of Russia and North and South America largely produce this metal. It is mainly used as alloy to harden platinum for electrical contacts.
7. Palladium
Palladium is a valuable metal because of its rarity, stability under hot conditions, malleability and its ability to absorb a great amount of hydrogen under room temperature.
In jewelry, goldsmiths use this metal to produce “white gold” alloys. In electronics, manufacturers use it for plating.
8. Rhenium
This element ranks third in having the highest melting point. Rhenium is a by-product of molybdenum, which is basically also a by-product of copper mining.
Chile, Kazakhstan and the US are its largest producers. It is mainly used to improve temperature strength in turbine engines and nickel-based superalloys.
9. Silver
This metal has the best thermal and electrical conductivity, and also the lowest resistance among all metals.
The largest producers of silver are Chile, Peru, China and Mexico. It has various uses particularly as jewelry, in coinage, photography, dentistry, circuitry and batteries.
10. Indium
Indium is a rare metal which is a by-product of zinc-ore processing, including lead, iron and copper ores. It has a white color and is extremely lustrous and malleable in its purest form.
China, Korea and Japan largely produce this element. It has its uses in making corrosive-resistant mirrors, alloys, semiconductors and flat-panel devices.
11. Californium 252
Californium 252 came out not only as the most precious metal but also the most expensive of all metals. A gram of Californium 252 costs roughly 27 to 30 million USD.
In terms of weight, this metal is the heaviest metallic element to naturally occur on this earth, although it is usually found to be produced alongside nuclear processes. It is also extremely rare because only 8 grams has ever been produced since 1950, not to mention that it only lasts around 5 years.