Osmium, one of the rarest and most expensive metals on the planet, currently costs $1,350 per gram, and its price continues to climb. According to the Osmium Institute, by 2026, the raw material reserves needed to produce crystalline osmium could be completely exhausted, potentially causing a 120% price surge in the coming months, reports the Baltimore Chronicle, citing Farmingdale observer.
This metal possesses unique physical and chemical properties, including the highest density among all elements, which makes it extremely valuable for high-tech industries such as jewelry, watchmaking, as well as applications in nuclear technology and pharmaceuticals. Due to the limited natural availability of osmium, it is increasingly viewed as a promising investment asset.
The primary deposits of osmium are concentrated in South Africa, Russia, and Canada. As these resources become depleted, scientists are intensifying efforts to find alternative sources, including research into meteorites and potential deposits on Mars.
The growing scarcity of osmium is already affecting the market: some luxury brands are rethinking their marketing strategies by emphasizing the uniqueness and exclusivity of osmium-based products. Investors, in turn, are increasingly considering this metal as a reliable store of value amid the volatility of traditional precious metals markets.
Earlier we wrote that Ukraine identifies over 30 rare earth metal deposits.