Each metal has a different value, which depends on the rarity of the metal, the difficulty of extraction and the characteristics of the metal. Throughout history, precious metals have always been traded as currencies, and now they have become a form of investment. When you think of precious metals, the first thing you think of should be gold and silver. Although the price of gold and silver is also very expensive, and has been included in the top ten most precious metals. But there are other metals that are more valuable than gold and silver. The following 10 are the most expensive metals in the world in 2020, let us take a look.

10. Indium (indium)

Per ounce: US$6.5 (Data: April 24, 2020)

Most indium in the world comes from Japan, South Korea and China. Because of its excellent electrical conductivity, it is often used to make electronic products, and its other use is as a coating for aircraft engines. One interesting thing about indium is that when it bends, it makes a cry. During World War II, it was also used to coat the bearings of aircraft engines.

9. Silver

Per ounce: US$18 (Data: April 24, 2020)

The world's largest silver producing countries are China, Mexico and Chile, and it can also be found in Peru. Among all metals, silver has the best thermal and electrical conductivity and the lowest contact resistance. This means it is one of the most versatile precious metals, and its wide range of uses include jewelry, photography, dentistry, batteries, coins, and circuits. In addition, it has many technical applications. For example, odor control and prevention of the spread of bacteria, and everyone likes to buy jewelry made of silver, because it is cheaper than gold, but has many of the same characteristics as gold.

8. Rhenium

Per ounce: US$80 (Data: April 24, 2020)

Rhenium is a silver-white heavy metal. Scientists discovered the element rhenium in 1925. So it became the last stable element to be discovered. Its name (Rhenium) is taken from the Rhine River in Europe. Nickel-rhenium high temperature alloy can be used to make jet engine combustion chambers, turbine blades and exhaust nozzles. These alloys contain up to 6% rhenium. This is the biggest practical application of rhenium, and secondly, as a catalyst in the chemical industry, rhenium is more difficult to obtain than diamond, so it is expensive. Because rhenium can be used in high-efficiency jet engines and rocket engines, it is very important in military strategy.

7. Ruthenium

Per ounce: USD 250 (Data: April 24, 2020)

Ruthenium is a hard, brittle, light gray polyvalent rare metal element. It is a member of the platinum group metals, and the content in the earth's crust is only one part per billion. It is one of the rarest metals. In 1844, the scientist Karl Ernst claus discovered the element at Kazan State University, and then used his hometown Ruthenia as the Latin name for this element. Ruthenium is mostly used to make wear-resistant electrical connectors and thick film resistors. The second is for platinum alloys and as a catalyst for chemical reactions. Another new use is as a cover layer for extreme ultraviolet light masks.

6. Osmium

Per ounce: US$400 (Data: April 24, 2020)

Osmium is a high-density rare metal and also the most dense metal in the world. Most of the world's osmium is mined in North America, South America and Russia. This metal is extremely difficult to mine because the melting point of osmium is very high, as high as 3000 degrees. Osmium has many different uses, but is most commonly used in hardened alloys, electrical contacts, and filaments.

5.Platinum

Per ounce: US$980 (Data: April 24, 2020)

Platinum is a naturally occurring white precious metal. It is also commonly known as platinum, pure platinum, pure platinum or true platinum, but the most correct name is definitely platinum. As early as 700 BC, platinum flashed a dazzling light in the history of human civilization. In the more than 2,000 years of human use of platinum, it has always been considered one of the most precious metals. Platinum is naturally pure and precious. The most important thing is that it will never fade or change color, and the luster will be as beautiful as ever. Although platinum has a high cost, it can always maintain the best luster, and its purity makes it a natural low-allergic metal, which is very suitable for people with sensitive skin.

4. Iridium

Per ounce: US$1510 (Data: April 24, 2020)

This metal is another element of the platinum family, and it is also one of the densest elements and the most corrosion-resistant metals. It also has a high melting point. Because of its many characteristics, "Iridium" is used in many industries and is often used in electronics, automobiles and medicine.

3. Gold

Per ounce: US$1710 (Data: April 24, 2020)

Gold is a precious metal and one of the earliest metals discovered and developed by mankind. It is an important raw material for making jewelry and coins, and it is also an important reserve material of the country. It is known as the "king of metal". It is not only regarded as a symbol of beauty and wealth, but also benefits human life with its unique value, along with the development of science and technology and modern industry. Gold is increasingly playing an important role in aerospace, medicine, electronics and other industrial sectors. Gold is used more and more widely, and its consumption is also increasing, which has aroused special concerns and strong interest in gold from all countries in the world.

2. Palladium

Per ounce: US$2800 (Data: April 24, 2020)

Between 2001 and 2018, the value of palladium was actually lower than that of gold. However, starting in February 2019, the price of palladium has surpassed that of gold for the first time since 2001. The rarity of this precious metal is about 30 times that of gold. More than 80% of palladium is used in the production of auto parts. Palladium is a key element of the "catalyst" of auto parts. Palladium can also be used in the electronics industry, jewelry industry and dental materials. As the price of palladium has risen sharply in recent years, and the global theft of catalytic converters has increased rapidly, palladium has been in short supply in recent years. Last year's palladium output was lower than global demand for the eighth consecutive year. Even if the price of palladium continues to be high, palladium, as a by-product in the refining process of platinum and nickel, has relatively low flexibility for producers to increase production. South Africa accounts for 40% of the global palladium supply. The country refers to the production of platinum-based elements including palladium in November 2019, which fell by 13.5% from the same period last year. The shortage of palladium is expected to continue. In addition, the global tightening of controls on fuel vehicles, European diesel emission scandals and other factors have led to a sharp increase in the demand for palladium from automakers.

1.Rhodium

Per ounce: US$12,100 (Data: April 24, 2020)

Rhodium has risen 12 times in the past 4 years, far outpacing all major commodities. The reason is the stricter emission regulations and the increasing demand from the automotive industry. It is precisely because of the high price that catalyst manufacturers have abandoned rhodium and switched to platinum and palladium manufacturing. Both are used as catalysts for catalytic converters. Rhodium is the same as palladium. It is a by-product of the platinum and nickel mining process, but the market is much smaller. In addition, the investment of rhodium is much more difficult than other precious metals, because it is not traded on exchanges, and most of them are carried out between suppliers and industrial users. The rise in rhodium prices is good news for South African producers. The country accounts for more than 80% of global production, but South Africa's electricity is unstable. Long-term strikes by workers also mean that the risk of supply and demand is not small.