- By Poorva Karki
- Wed, 08 May 2024 07:33 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
List Of Most Expensive Elements On Earth: If on being asked about the most expensive elements, gold, silver, or platinum is what comes to your mind, then you aren’t exactly wrong, but definitely not correct as well. Yes, they may sound expensive to us, but in the ‘world of elements’, basically the periodic table, humanity does have some other elements, which can go for billions, as far as their price tag is concerned. Shocked? Well, allow us to elaborate. We have found out about some of the more rare and expensive elements in the world. So that you can further surprise yourself with all these other elements that could, if it was possible, would have bought half the world.
Let’s take a look at the 10 most expensive elements in the world, as per reports.
Francium
The first on the list is Francium, which is reportedly the most expensive element on Earth. The nature of the element makes it the bearer of such an expensive tag, as the element is highly short-lived. The element exists only in radioactive forms. As per reports, just one gram of Francium can go as high as $7 Billion (more than Rs 700 crore). Apart from its short-lived life, locating the element is another issue that makes it so expensive.
Californium
The next on the list is Californium. The element was developed back in 1950, reportedly by the University of California Radiation Laboratory. As per reports, the element was developed by bombarding ‘curium with alpha particles’. Just one gram of californium can be as expensive as approximately $27M (more than Rs 2025 crore). Apart from being this expensive, Californium is also used in the process of detecting Gold.
Carbon
The next on the list is Carbon, which can reportedly go as high as $65,000 (Rs 54 Lakh) per gram. Although the element is quite common (Even in our bodies if we are healthy enough), the price tag tags along when carbon is arranged in the form of diamonds. Yes, not so surprising anymore, as to why the third most expensive element is Carbon.
Plutonium
Coming to the fourth most expensive element on the Earth, we have Plutonium. The element plays a major role in the making of nuclear weapons and is also used in nuclear reactors. The element is highly radioactive and can reportedly be sold for more than $4,000 (more than Rs 3 lakh) per gram.
Scandium
On the fifth spot on the list of the most expensive elements in the world, we have Scandium. The rare element can be as costly as $270 (more than Rs 22,000) per gram, as per reports. The element was discovered back in 1879, by Swedish chemist and professor, Lars Fredrik Nilson, and Per Teodor Cleve, a Swedish chemist, and biologist.
Lutetium
Entering the second half of the list of the most expensive elements in the world, we have Lutetium. The element was discovered by French chemist Georges Urbain, along with Charles James, in 1907. Its cost can reportedly reach up to $69 (more than Rs 5,000) per gram. The element is majorly used in refineries, as a catalyst. It plays an important role in processes like polymerization, alkylation, hydrogenation, and more.
Lanthanum
On the seventh spot on the list, we have Lanthanum. This element is also used as a catalyst. Lanthanum is one of the most rare elements, which further makes it a pricy one. Its cost can reportedly reach as high as $64 (more than 5,000) per gram. The element was discovered back in 1839, by the Swedish chemist Carl Gustaf Mosander. It is represented by the symbol La, in the periodic table, and is the 57th element.
Platinum
The next on the list, which is often used as an expensive gift as well, is Platinum. Yes, if you have something in Platinum, then you are wearing the eighth most expensive element in the world. The element is the least reactive and is used in the field of medicine and automobiles as well. The cost of one gram of Platinum can be $60 (Rs 5,000), as per reports.
Rhodium
The ninth on the list is Rhodium. The element was discovered in 1803, by chemist and physicist William Hyde Wollaston. Rhodium is represented by Rh in the periodic table and is the 45th element. Another element used as a catalyst, Rhodium, is mostly used in automobiles. The cost of one gram of Rhodium can be as high as $58 (more than Rs 4500).
ALSO READ: Spot All The Tiny Flags In The Room In Under 12 Seconds
Gold
The last on the list is the one which, for common people, is considered one of the most expensive elements to possess or buy; Gold. Represented by the symbol Au, Gold is the 79th element in the periodic table. The element was reportedly discovered even before 6000 BCE. The cost can reach as high as $56 (more than Rs 4000) per gram.
