Utah: Metal monolith discovered by state officials
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Platinum, gold and silver all spring to mind when we think of precious metals. But there are many more you might have never heard of – which you probably use in everyday items like smartphones, TVs, cars and expensive jewellery.
Iridium
Iridium is the most expensive metal on earth, and considered to be the second densest metal,
As well as the most corrosion-resistant material known, if you have a TV or smartphone you are likely to use it every day.
Its price currently sits at $4,500 (£3,359.02) per ounce and has increased in price hugely as the tech industry grows, as it is used in LED TVs and smartphones.
Iridium was discovered in 1803 and is believed to have arrived on earth via the meteor which killed the dinosaurs.
READ MORE: Man discovered more valuable rock than gold
Rhodium
Rhodium is one of the most expensive metals in the world, valued at $2,930 (£2,187) per ounce.
The silvery-white and corrosion-resistant metal is used in the manufacturing of catalytic converters in cars.
It is considered the rarest and most valuable precious metal in the world.
Palladium
Palladium is the third most expensive precious metal in the world, currently valued at $2,079 (£1,548) per ounce.
It’s part of the Platinum Group along with Platinum, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Iridium, and Osmium, which all have similar chemical properties.
It’s commonly used in catalytic converters and is also used in some of the world’s most expensive jewellery.
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Gold
Gold is currently priced at around $1,800 (£1,350) per ounce, and its price fluctuates frequently.
Needing little explanation, gold is most commonly used in coins and jewellery.
In its purest form, gold is bright yellow, dense but malleable, and is one of the least reactive materials on earth.
Ruthenium
Ruthenium is a rare transition metal that was discovered by Russian-born scientist, Karl Ernst Claus, in 1844 at Kazan State University.
Ruthenium’s current price is $620 (£466) per ounce, and its mostly used in electronic devices and equipment.
A highly reflective silver in colour, it can also be used in jewellery – although this is rare.
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