Gold has always been referred to as the standard of wealth, hence the phrase "the gold standard." It’s easy to think that gold is the most precious of all metals on Earth, but did you know that it actually ranks as the third most expensive metal?
Gold's visibility in coins, jewelry, luxury items, and even in the arts leads us to believe it’s the most expensive. While there's nothing wrong with building up your wealth in gold and silver, knowing what the world's precious metals are will give you an edge over others.
Or if you're a curious little cat-like us, knowing what's more expensive than gold can give you the smug satisfaction of simply knowing they exist. With that in mind, here's our list of the most precious metals on Earth – aside from gold, of course.
Gold's visibility in coins, jewelry, luxury items, and even in the arts leads us to believe it’s the most expensive. While there's nothing wrong with building up your wealth in gold and silver, knowing what the world's precious metals are will give you an edge over others.
Or if you're a curious little cat-like us, knowing what's more expensive than gold can give you the smug satisfaction of simply knowing they exist. With that in mind, here's our list of the most precious metals on Earth – aside from gold, of course.
Rhodium
The name takes us back to our days in Chemistry class. Rhodium is a rare metal in the Platinum group. It isn't commonplace as gold and silver are, but it’s still an essential commodity in the automobile industry.
The precious metal is characterized by its silvery, complex, corrosion-resistant properties and rarity. More importantly, it's actually the most expensive metal in the entire world!
The precious metal is characterized by its silvery, complex, corrosion-resistant properties and rarity. More importantly, it's actually the most expensive metal in the entire world!
Palladium
Coming in second among the most precious metals on Earth is palladium. Just like rhodium, it is also a type of metal in the platinum group. Palladium's primary use is automobile catalytic converters, which turn up to 90% of harmful exhaust gasses into less toxic byproducts.
Palladium is also made into expensive jewelry, used in groundwater purification, and used in dentistry and medicine. Together, this makes it a valuable resource.
Palladium is also made into expensive jewelry, used in groundwater purification, and used in dentistry and medicine. Together, this makes it a valuable resource.
Ruthenium
Technically the fourth most expensive precious metal on Earth (next to gold, of course), ruthenium still belongs to the platinum group of precious metals. Its primary use is for electronic equipment and devices.
A transition metal, ruthenium is named after Ruthenia, the Latin name for Russia. Ruthenium reserves are found in North and South America's mountains – and, of course, in Russia.
A transition metal, ruthenium is named after Ruthenia, the Latin name for Russia. Ruthenium reserves are found in North and South America's mountains – and, of course, in Russia.
Iridium
What makes iridium rank among the ten most precious metals in the world? Well, simply put, it's the most corrosion-resistant metal on Earth. It's also the second densest metal on the periodic table. As another transition metal, iridium is named after its iridescent salts, which resemble a rainbow.
Iridium is a critical component in the automobile industry. It hardens the more pliable platinum, so it's best for making alloys. Compasses and watches also have iridium in their internal parts, and South Africa leads the iridium mining industry In the world.
Osmium
Found as a trace element in platinum ores, osmium is used in electrical contacts, needles, and fountain pen nibs. Being the densest metal on the planet, osmium also makes for tough alloys. It's also one of the rarest elements on the planet, too, making it more expensive.
Osmium
Found as a trace element in platinum ores, osmium is used in electrical contacts, needles, and fountain pen nibs. Being the densest metal on the planet, osmium also makes for tough alloys. It's also one of the rarest elements on the planet, too, making it more expensive.
Rhenium
This precious metal is found as an alloy with platinum or copper and has an atomic number of 75. It was discovered as a new member of the platinum group of metals in 1925.
Rhenium is a silvery-white metal that retains its luster even after scratching or tarnishing. It is found in high-speed steels and other alloys because of its improved strength, wear resistance, and machinability. It is used for oven and lamp filaments and as an electrical contact material.
Rhenium is a silvery-white metal that retains its luster even after scratching or tarnishing. It is found in high-speed steels and other alloys because of its improved strength, wear resistance, and machinability. It is used for oven and lamp filaments and as an electrical contact material.
Other metals that are included in the top ten most expensive metals other than gold are silver, scandium, and indium. Silver is used for coins, jewelry, solar panels, and filtration systems due to its antibacterial properties. Scandium is used for sports equipment and indium is an important metal in the semiconductor industry.