- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Mon, 14 Apr 2025 12:05 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Top 10 Most Expensive Materials On Earth: The Earth is home to many rare and valuable materials, some of which are worth more than we can imagine. These materials are used in science, technology, medicine and even luxury goods. From the mysterious antimatter to beautiful gemstones like diamonds, taaffeitite and useful elements like californium, their high prices come from their rarity, difficulty in production and special uses.
Antimatter which is known as most expensive materials on the earth is worth in trillions of dollars, while following it californium-252, which is used in nuclear reactors and medical procedures is worth in millions of dollars. While gold is often seen as valuable, it ranks last on this list.
List Of Top 10 Most Expensive Materials On Earth with Their Price
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 most expensive materials on Earth and learn why they cost so much and how they are used in different fields. The ranking data is taken from the data site Chartsbin.com.
1. Antimatter – $65.5 Trillion per Gram
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Top 10 Most Expensive Materials On Earth (Image: Instagram)
Antimatter is the most expensive material on Earth that science has discovered. Because it is so difficult to produce and store, it costs about $65.5 trillion per gram. Antimatter has the potential to be utilized for powerful energy sources and advanced space travel. Although its high cost and instability make it impractical for daily use, it is also being researched for use in cancer treatments.
2. Californium-252 – $27 Million per Gram
The rare radioactive element californium-252 is mostly utilised in nuclear reactors and medical procedures. It detects gold and silver in mining and helps in starting nuclear reactors. It is typically produced in specialised nuclear labs and has a limited supply, which contributes to its high cost.
3. Diamond – $55,000 per Gram
One of the most well-known precious stones, diamonds are renowned for both their strength and beauty. Because of their hardness, they are utilised in jewellery as well as industrial tools for drilling and cutting. Size, clarity and rarity all affect their cost.
4. Tritium – $30,000 per Gram
Tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen that is used in watches and self-glowing signs such as exit signs. Its potential for use in nuclear fusion energy in the future is also being investigated. It is highly costly due to its rapid decay and difficulty in production.
5. Taaffeite – $20,000 per Gram
Top 10 Most Expensive Materials On Earth (Image: Canva)
Taaffeite is a rare gemstone that looks like a mix of sapphire and spinel. It’s extremely rare, found in only a few places in the world. Mostly used in jewellery, its beauty and rarity make it one of the most expensive gems in the world.
6. Painite – $9,000 per Gram
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Top 10 Most Expensive Materials On Earth (Image: Instagram)
In the past, painite was considered to be the rarest mineral in the world. It is primarily utilised in upscale jewellery and has a reddish-brown hue. Even though more stones have been found recently, its scarcity and limited supply make them extremely valuable.
7. Plutonium – $4,000 per Gram
Plutonium is a radioactive element used in nuclear reactors and weapons. It is risky and must be done according to tight safety regulations. It is very regulated and costly to produce and store because of its energy potential and security issues.
8. Cocaine and heroin – $150- $200 per Gram
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Top 10 Most Expensive Materials On Earth (Image: Canva)
Cocaine and heroin are illegal drugs that cost around $150 to $200 per gram on the black market. Despite their high price, they are dangerous and addictive substances, often linked to serious health issues, crime, and strict legal consequences worldwide.
9. Rhino Horn – $110 per Gram
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Top 10 Most Expensive Materials On Earth (Image: Canva)
Rhino horn is made of keratin, like human hair and nails. Some cultures wrongly believe it has medicinal properties, leading to illegal trade and poaching. Due to its black-market value, rhino horn is expensive, though international trade in it is banned.
10. Gold – $104 per Gram
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Top 10 Most Expensive Materials On Earth (Image: Canva)
Gold is one of the most famous and widely used precious metals. It’s used in jewellery, electronics, coins and financial investments. Though it’s last on this list, gold remains a symbol of wealth and security worldwide.