When you think of a comparison of precious metals, most people think of gold and silver first. In some cases, platinum also comes to mind. However, the world of precious metals goes far beyond this and also includes platinum metals, which are valued both in industry and by investors due to their special properties. These platinum metals include: Osmium, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium as well as the aforementioned platinum.
In our comparison of precious metals, we not only look at traditional metals, but also at the lesser-known precious metals in particular, which can often exceed gold, silver and platinum in terms of their properties.
| Metal | Rarity* | Atomic Number | Density (g/cm³) | Purity** | Melting Point (°C) | Occurrence | Occurrence Countries | Color | Common Form | Use | Advantages | Disadvantages | Barren | Certification | Surface Scan | Bar Personalization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osmium | ●●●●●●●●○○ | 76 | 22.59 g/cm³ | 99.95 % / >99.995% | 3033° C | Found in alloys with platinum and other platinum-group metals | South Africa, Russia, Canada | Bluish-white | Bars, crystals, powder | Alloys for fountain pen tips, electrical contacts, instrument pivots, and other applications requiring extreme durability | Highest density of any element; very hard; high melting point | Brittle; forms toxic and volatile osmium tetroxide when exposed to air (high-quality osmium crystals and bars are safe); expensive due to rarity | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Iridium | ●●●●●●●●○○ | 77 | 22.56 g/cm³ | 99.95 % | 2446° C | Found in natural alloys with platinum or osmium; byproduct of nickel and copper mining | South Africa, Russia, Canada | Silvery-white | Bars, powder | High-temperature materials, spark plugs, crucibles, electrical contacts, hardeners for platinum alloys | Extremely high melting point; exceptional corrosion resistance; very high density | Very brittle; difficult to machine; expensive due to rarity | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rhodium | ●●●●●●●●○○ | 45 | 12.41 g/cm³ | 99.95 % | 1963° C | Found in platinum and nickel ores; obtained as a byproduct | North and South America, Russia | Silvery-white | Bars, powder | Catalytic converters, jewelry plating (provides high reflectivity), electrical contacts, thermocouples | High reflectivity; excellent corrosion resistance; high melting point | Difficult to process, expensive due to rarity | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Platinum | ●●●●●●●○○○ | 78 | 21.45 g/cm³ | 99.95 % | 1768.3° C | Found in nickel and copper ores; major sources are byproducts | South Africa, Russia, Canada, USA, China, Japan | Silvery-white | Bars | Catalytic converters, jewelry, laboratory equipment, electrical contacts, chemotherapeutic agents | Highly resistant to corrosion; excellent catalytic properties; high melting point | Often too heavy for some jewelry, susceptible to scratches | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Gold | ●●●●●●○○○○ | 79 | 19.32 g/cm³ | 99.95 % | 1064.18° C | Found in veins and alluvial deposits; often associated with quartz and sulfide minerals | China, Australia, Russia, Canada, USA | Metallic-yellow | Bars, nuggets, coins | Jewelry, electronics, dentistry, coinage, investments, aerospace applications | Excellent conductor of electricity and heat; high corrosion resistance; extremely malleable and ductile | Expensive due to rarity; softness limits structural applications | ⌛ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Palladium | ●●●●●●○○○○ | 46 | 12,02 g/cm³ | 99.95 % | 1554.9° C | Found mainly as a byproduct of nickel and copper ores | Russia, Australia, Ethiopia, North and South America | Silvery-white | Bars, nuggets | Catalysts, electronics, dentistry, jewelry, hydrogen storage, fuel cells | Excellent catalytic properties; efficiently absorbs oxygen and hydrogen; corrosion-resistant | Lower density; less durable than other metals | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ruthenium | ●●●●●●○○○○ | 44 | 12.37 g/cm³ | 99.95 % | 2334° C | Found in ores containing other platinum group metals | North and South America | Silvery-white | Bars, powder | Electrical contacts, thick-film resistors, alloys, chemical catalysts | Increases hardness and corrosion resistance when alloyed; good catalytic properties | Brittle; difficult to process; relatively rare | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Silver | ●●●●●○○○○○ | 47 | 10.49 g/cm³ | 99.95 % | 961.78° C | Found in lodes and sulfide minerals | North and South America | Silvery-white | Bars, coins | Jewelry, silverware, coins, photography, electrical contacts, mirrors, antimicrobial agents | Highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all metals; high reflectivity; antimicrobial properties | Tarnishes when exposed to sulfur-containing air; relatively soft | ⌛ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
* As estimated by our experts. Refers to crystallized / sintered or processed precious metal.
Precious metal comparison: Which precious metals are there (list)?
In order to understand the precious metals generally covered in our comparison, it is important to be aware of the definition of a “precious metal”. A precious metal is a metal that is rare but also has a high economic value. This economic value of precious metals can be expressed in different ways. Primarily, the precious metal has a use in industry and/or is in demand by investors. Be it as a hedge against currency inflation, as a store of value or as a tradable speculative object.
According to the DOE, the US Department of Energy, the following eight metals are classified as “precious metals”:
- Gold
- osmium
- iridium
- palladium
- platinum
- rhodium
- ruthenium
- and silver
The metals aluminum, zinc, copper, brass, stainless steel, titanium, tungsten and gallium, on the other hand, are not considered precious metals because, unlike gold, iridium, osmium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium and silver, these metals lack important properties.
Our metals comparison therefore focuses on the genuine precious metals mentioned in the list.
Comparison: Which precious metal has the greatest potential in the future?
The future potential of precious metals depends on a variety of factors, including industrial demand, technological advances, investment trends and even environmental aspects. Below we compare our eight precious metals and their prospects:
Gold
Current uses:
- Store of value: gold is often held as a hedge against economic uncertainty and inflation.
- Jewelry: A large part of gold demand comes from the jewelry industry.
- Technology: Due to its excellent conductivity and corrosion resistance, it is used in electronics such as smartphones.
Future potential of gold:
- Sustained investment demand: gold could continue to be a preferred asset for diversifying portfolios. Especially in times of crisis, it has been shown time and again that investors “flee” to gold.
- Technological applications: Emerging applications in nanotechnology and medicine could increase demand.
- Central banks policies: Central bank purchases could influence the value of gold.
Silver
Current uses:
- Industrial applications: Silver has the highest electrical and thermal conductivity among metals, making it a component of electronics, solar cells and medical devices.
- Jewelry and silverware: Traditional applications are still important.
- Investments: Silver, like gold, is also an investment commodity.
Future potential of silver:
- Growth in renewable energy: The expansion of solar energy could increase the demand for silver for photovoltaic cells.
- Antimicrobial properties: Potential growth in medical and consumer goods due to silver's antibacterial properties.
- Investment: Silver remains a persistent investment for many investors. This is not expected to change in the near future.
Platinum
Current uses:
- Automotive catalytic converters: Used in diesel engines to reduce emissions.
- Jewelry: Prized for its durability and luster.
- Investment: Like gold and silver, platinum is also used by many investors as an investment.
Future potential of platinum:
- Hydrogen economy: platinum is crucial in fuel cells for hydrogen-powered vehicles, which could grow as part of the transition to clean energy.
- Medicine and jewelry: Potential for increased use in medical devices and treatments. Platinum is also increasingly popular in jewelry.
- Supply constraints: Limited mining areas could affect availability and price.
Palladium
Current uses:
- Automotive catalytic converters: essential for reducing emissions in gasoline engines.
- Electronics: Used in capacitors and connectors.
- Dentistry and jewelry: Used in alloys and decorative items.
Future potential of palladium:
- Impact of electric vehicles: the switch to electric vehicles could reduce the long-term demand of palladium in this sector, unless new uses emerge.
- Price volatility: High prices could encourage substitution with other metals.
Rhodium
Current uses:
- Automotive: Used in catalytic converters to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
- Coatings: Provides a reflective and corrosion-resistant surface in jewelry and mouth mirrors.
Future potential of rhodium:
- Emissions regulations: Continued reduction in vehicle emissions could drive rhodium demand.
- Supply challenges: Scarcity may lead to significant price fluctuations.
Osmium
Current uses:
- Alloys: Used in hard alloys for fountain pen tips, electrical contacts and other applications requiring long life.
- Catalysts: Used in chemical reactions, though less commonly due to toxicity concerns.
- Jewelry and investment: Crystallized osmium, or osmium in bar form, is increasingly used in jewelry and investment.
Future potential of osmium:
- Niche applications: Potential in specialized areas such as scientific research.
- Handling restrictions: The jewelry industry is currently discovering osmium for itself. There is also a growing community focusing on osmium as an investment.
Iridium
Current uses:
- High temperature equipment and jewelry: Due to its high melting point, it is used in crucibles and in jewelry as an alloy.
Future potential of iridium:
- The platinum metal iridium has a limited range of applications compared to other metals. There is potential in jewelry and in applications that have to withstand high heat. There is also potential as an investment.
Ruthenium
Current applications:
- Electronics: Used in chip components and electrical contacts.
- Catalysts: Important in the chemical industry.
- Data storage: Used in hard disk drives.
Future potential of ruthenium:
- Electronics: The greatest hope for ruthenium is demand from the electronics industry.
Which precious metal is the rarest?
Among the precious metals, osmium and rhodium are considered the rarest elements. Osmium is a bluish shimmering metal and rhodium is silver-white. Both precious metals belong to the platinum group metals (PGMs) and are found in the earth's crust and are far rarer than better-known precious metals such as gold or silver.
Whether osmium or rhodium is rarer, however, cannot be determined with absolute certainty and also depends in part on how you look at it. For example, some platinum metals are less rare in their raw form than it sometimes appears. However, the raw form often cannot be used in industry, jewelry or for investment because the precious metal must first be processed accordingly, for example to remove impurities.
The question must therefore be asked as to how much value raw osmium has if it is available but cannot be used in its raw form. The rarity of a precious metal can also be due to the complicated processing procedure.
As a result, osmium, rhodium, iridium or ruthenium sometimes top the “rarity ranking” in precious metal comparisons. In our comparison, we currently see osmium as the leader among the precious metals, just ahead of rhodium.
Can a precious metal comparison tell me which precious metal I should buy?
If you are a prospective precious metal investor looking for a precious metal comparison portal, you are probably doing so with the intention of finding a particularly undervalued precious metal or a metal that has high future potential for other reasons. In this precious metal comparison portal, we try to provide information about properties as objectively as possible, but we cannot make specific recommendations on the purchase of a particular precious metal. This decision is up to the individual investor. But why is this actually the case? On other precious metal comparison websites, you may also find specific recommendations! On the one hand, this is because precious metal investments, like all other investments, are always speculative, as nobody can see into the future. On the other hand, there are different types of risk. A precious metal such as gold could therefore possibly develop relatively stable in value, but offer lower potential returns. On the other hand, a rare platinum metal such as osmium is more volatile in terms of price, but can also offer more opportunities for a higher price increase compared to other precious metals. So is gold, osmium, or even platinum or silver the “comparison winner”? There is no definitive answer to this, as it depends on what you are looking for and how risk-averse or risk-averse you are.
Which precious metal is the cheapest in comparison?
Precious metals, known for their rarity and intrinsic value, play an important role in both the jewelry and investment markets. Of the metals gold, silver, platinum and palladium, silver is generally regarded as the “cheapest” option.
Different characteristics and market dynamics of each metal affect their pricing and demand and contribute to the fact that consumers and investors may perceive their value differently. On the one hand, silver's wide range of uses, from jewelry to electronics to industrial applications, solidifies its position in the market. On the other hand, gold is often seen as a symbol of wealth and stability, which can lead to higher demand and higher prices, while metals such as osmium, platinum and palladium are valued for their rarity and industrial applications, but are also more volatile.
In summary, the comparative analysis of precious metals shows that silver is the “cheapest” option, but this says nothing about future price trends.
Which precious metal holds its value best?
The precious metal in our comparison that holds its value best is gold. Through its thousands of years of history, gold has proven that the precious metal can often act as a good asset protection in economic crises and times of high inflation and remains stable in value. At least historically speaking, this is the case and gold still holds the top position in this respect today.
However, value stability is not always what investors are looking for. Other precious metals, such as silver or platinum, but especially the other metals in the platinum group such as osmium, iridium, ruthenium, rhodium and palladium, can also offer higher potential returns at a higher risk. The higher volatility compared to gold or silver in particular can provide better entry opportunities.
Comparison of the precious metals with the highest value
The precious metals market comprises a variety of metals with different values, which are often influenced by their rarity, their industrial use and general market dynamics. While gold has always been associated with wealth, several other precious metals often exceed its market value, making them interesting in both a financial and industrial context. Metals such as osmium, rhodium, palladium and platinum, are known not only for their high prices, but also for their important role in sectors such as automotive manufacturing and electronics.
Rhodium (Rh) is currently the most expensive precious metal, with prices driven by its limited supply and its important applications in automotive catalytic converters.
Palladium (Pd) has seen a surge in demand, particularly in the context of stricter environmental regulations and the increasing use of hydrogen storage technologies, resulting in its price often exceeding that of gold.
Other metals such as iridium (Ir), platinum (Pt), osmium (Os) and ruthenium (Ru) also occasionally achieve higher prices than gold, depending on market conditions and industrial demand.
In addition, ruthenium has attracted attention due to its increasing demand in the electronics industry, which has occasionally caused its value to rise above that of gold.
However, it should be noted that prices can change and not every precious metal enjoys as liquid a market as gold or silver.
What is the best precious metal?
When it comes to the question of the “best precious metal”, the question arises as to what should be compared. Is it the rarest precious metal? The densest? The precious metal with the highest usage? The metal with the best risk/reward ratio? Depending on the property being compared, a different precious metal will come out on top as the “best precious metal”. In our precious metal comparison, we therefore try to shed light on several aspects in order to make it easier for you to make an individual decision depending on the criteria you are looking for.
Which precious metal is suitable as an investment?
Basically, all eight precious metals, from gold, iridium and osmium to palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium and silver, are used as investments. In our comparison, we list the differences and characteristics that make it easier to categorize the individual metals, depending on the investor's risk affinity.
Which precious metals are worth buying?
It would be dubious to list precious metals that are “worth buying”. However, this applies not only to precious metals, but to investment products in general and is due to the general nature of a market. This is because such a statement would imply that a particular investment is always worthwhile. However, as no one can predict the future, such a statement cannot be made with absolute certainty. All precious metals in comparison, from gold to osmium, iridium, palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium and silver can be worth buying. We would recommend that investors clarify which characteristic of a precious metal is most important to them and what risk they are prepared to take before making a purchase.
Aluminum, zinc, copper, brass, stainless steel, titanium and tungsten, gallium
The metals aluminum, zinc, copper, brass, stainless steel, titanium, tungsten and gallium are not considered precious metals and are therefore rarely if ever used in jewelry or as an investment.
Aluminum is a light, silvery-white metal that is known for its excellent corrosion resistance and high electrical conductivity. The low density of aluminum and its ability to form alloys make it ideal for applications that require high strength without adding weight.
Zinc is a bluish-white metal that is brittle at room temperature but malleable when heated. It is primarily used to galvanize steel and iron to prevent rusting a process that extends the life of metal structures and components. Zinc is also an important component of alloys such as brass and bronze and plays an essential role as a trace element necessary for human health.
Copper, which is characterized by its reddish-orange color, is known for its excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. Copper is often used for electrical wiring, plumbing and electronics and is easy to work with due to its malleability and ductility.
Brass is an alloy consisting mainly of copper and zinc and is known for its shiny, gold-like appearance and acoustic properties. Brass is used for musical instruments, decorative items and fittings and offers a combination of strength, workability and corrosion resistance.
Stainless steel is a chromium-containing iron-based alloy that is highly resistant to rust and staining. Stainless steel is used in kitchen appliances, medical instruments and architectural structures and is utilized for its strength, durability and low maintenance requirements.
Titanium is a strong, low-density metal characterized by its good strength-to-weight ratio and exceptional corrosion resistance. Titanium is widely used in aerospace components, medical implants and sports equipment. It can withstand extreme temperatures and is biocompatible, which reduces the likelihood of rejection reactions when used in the human body.
Tungsten is a hard, dense metal with the highest melting point of all pure metals, which is why it is often used in high-temperature environments. Tungsten is used in light bulbs, cutting tools and rocket components.
Gallium is a soft, silvery metal that melts at just above room temperature. Gallium is mainly used in semiconductors and forms compounds such as gallium arsenide, which are essential for antennas, solar cells and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Its unique melting properties and non-toxicity make it an environmentally friendly alternative to mercury in medical thermometers.
Precious metals price comparison
There are a few important things to bear in mind when comparing precious metal prices. Some precious metals are easier to compare prices for. One example of this is gold prices or silver prices. There are established markets and liquid trading by various market participants for these precious metals. Even if there are different qualities and degrees of purity of gold and silver, prices per kilo, ounce or gram are generally easy to determine. However, with some metals in the platinum group, for example, it is no longer quite so easy to compare prices. Osmium is a good example of this. This precious metal is not in a comparable market to gold, for example. There are sometimes standard differences in quality and the prices are largely set by the dealers. We have therefore dedicated a separate article to the topic of osmium prices.
You should therefore be aware of this fact when comparing the prices of such different precious metals.
Disclaimer: These materials are for general information purposes only and are not investment advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or hold any asset or to engage in any specific trading strategy.