10 Most Expensive Minerals and Metals You Never Knew Existed

Gold and diamonds may dominate headlines, but they are not the most expensive natural materials on Earth. Beyond mainstream commodities are rare gemstones and platinum group metals whose scarcity drives extraordinary valuations.

Based on verified market pricing and standard industry units, here are ten (10) of the most valuable minerals and metals, ranked from lowest to highest typical high-end value.

$600 to $1,200+ per carat

Tanzanite is found exclusively in the Merelani Hills near Mount Kilimanjaro in northern Tanzania. Discovered in 1967 and later popularised by Tiffany & Co., it remains a single-source gemstone.

High-quality retail stones typically range between $600 and $1,200 per carat, with exceptional specimens exceeding that range. Its defining feature is trichroism, appearing blue, violet or burgundy depending on viewing angle.

ALSO READ: How to File for Divorce in Ghana: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

$4,000 to $6,000 per ounce, market dependent

Iridium is mined alongside platinum ore in South Africa and Russia. It is one of the most corrosion-resistant metals known and is widely used in spark plugs, crucibles and specialised electronics.

Although rarer than gold, its market price generally trades below peak rhodium levels. Geological studies have linked elevated iridium levels in global sediment layers to the asteroid impact approximately sixty-six million (66,000,000) years ago.

ALSO READ: 8 Countries Where Valentine’s Day Has Faced Bans or Restrictions

Historically among the highest priced traded metals

Primarily mined in South Africa and Russia, rhodium is essential in automotive catalytic converters and jewellery plating.

Its price is highly volatile. In 2021, rhodium exceeded $25,000 per ounce before later corrections. Despite fluctuations, it remains one of the most valuable industrially traded metals in the world.

ALSO READ: Top 10 Most Populated Countries in Africa: 2026 Rankings

Hundreds of dollars per gram, market dependent

Osmium, sourced mainly from platinum group metal deposits in South Africa, Russia and parts of North and South America, is the densest naturally occurring stable element.

While frequently described as extremely rare, verified market data shows it typically trades below rhodium and iridium. It is used in specialised alloys, electrical contacts and limited medical applications.

ALSO READ: Meet Africa’s Greatest Con Artist: The Ghanaian Who Swindled the World of Over $200m

Up to $10,000 per carat

Red beryl, sometimes called bixbite, is among the rarest gemstones known. It is estimated that only one (1) crystal is found for every 150,000 gem-quality diamonds.

Its vivid red colour results from trace manganese. Gem-quality specimens are mined primarily in Utah, with limited occurrences in New Mexico in the United States. High-quality stones can reach up to $10,000 per carat.

ALSO READ: The Hidden Dangers of Earbuds: Harmful Effects You May Not Know About

$18,000 to $20,000+ per carat

First identified in Sri Lanka in 1902 and later discovered in small quantities in Myanmar, serendibite is an exceptionally rare gemstone.

Fine stones typically range between $18,000 and $20,000 per carat. Its complex chemical composition and limited geological formation make gem-quality material extremely scarce.

ALSO READ: How to Avoid Leg Cramps During Sex: Tips to Prevent Muscle Cramps

$20,000+ per carat

Grandidierite was first discovered in southern Madagascar in 1902. Transparent, facet-grade stones are rare.

Fine specimens have recorded prices exceeding $20,000 per carat. The mineral’s blue-green colour comes from trace iron and exhibits strong pleochroism. Madagascar remains the primary commercial source.

ALSO READ: Top 10 Countries in Africa with the Most Intelligent People: 2026 IQ Rankings

$50,000 to $60,000 per carat

Discovered in Myanmar in the 1950s by British mineralogist Arthur C.D. Pain, painite was once considered the rarest mineral in the world.

For decades, only three (3) specimens were known. Although additional crystals have since been identified in Myanmar, gem-quality stones remain scarce. Verified pricing places high-quality painite between $50,000 and $60,000 per carat.

ALSO READ: Top 10 Countries with the Highest Average IQ Scores in the World: 2026 Rankings

$1,000,000+ per carat for top specimens

Red diamonds are among the rarest coloured diamonds ever mined. Fewer than thirty (30) verified stones are known globally. Most originated from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Western Australia, which closed in 2020.

In 2022, the 1.56-carat Argyle Phoenix sold for $4.2 million. Their colour is believed to result from crystal lattice distortion rather than chemical impurities, contributing to their exceptional rarity.

ALSO READ: 8 World Eye Colour Palette You Probably Didn't Know About

Up to $3,000,000 per carat for exceptional auction pieces

Jadeite is the rarest and most valuable form of jade, distinct from nephrite. The finest quality, known as Imperial Jade, displays a vivid emerald green and is highly prized in East Asian markets.

Top commercial-grade jadeite sells above $30,000 per carat, while historic auction-quality pieces have approached $3,000,000 per carat. The finest specimens originate from Myanmar, where rare geological conditions enable its formation.

ALSO READ: Here's Why Your Fingers Wrinkle When You Soak in the Bath

These minerals and metals demonstrate that rarity, geological uniqueness and collector demand can elevate natural materials far beyond the traditional benchmarks of gold and conventional diamonds.