Osmium – the rarest metal in the world
The rarest metal in the world
The occurrence of osmium is negligible and its extraction is time-consuming and costly. Although it was discovered over 200 years ago, it has never become a common industrial or luxury metal due to its rarity and the toxicity of its raw form. It was only in 2013, after years of intensive research, that a process was discovered with which this powdery metal could be crystallized into a non-toxic solid form.
Luxury metal
The resulting crystalline metal was extremely pure and absolutely forgery-proof. As such, it quickly became a popular investment property, particularly in the European DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). As its reputation as an investment metal grew, so did its appeal as a luxury metal. This is because crystalline osmium is not only indestructible, but also looks stunning. The metal, nicknamed the “Sunshine Element”, is increasingly appreciated and sought after by investors, luxury jewelers and exclusive watchmakers around the world.
Osmium, the element with atomic number 76, is the rarest non-radioactive element in the cosmos. It is much rarer than gold or silver. How much osmium is actually present in the Earth’s crust was a question discussed at the 3rd International Osmium Symposium in Dubai in June 2021. Every year, the leaders of the osmium world meet to discuss new developments in the world market for osmium, the global extraction of osmium and new government and customs agreements on the import and export of crystalline osmium. According to the latest findings, global osmium resources are estimated at 17 m³, of which around 1 m³ is likely to be mined. And it is precisely these figures that make osmium so coveted as the rarest metal on earth.
Alternative investment opportunities?
A number of interesting opportunities for real asset investments have emerged in recent years. These include classic cars, rare works of art, real estate and cryptocurrencies. Of these, real estate occupies a special position because it is always in demand and behaves predictably as an investment property. With the exception of cryptocurrencies, however, the other three asset classes are not suitable for transportation in times of crisis. It is well known that war refugees do not take works of art with them or drive their classic cars across borders to a third country that offers shelter. What is taken is clothing, cash, precious metals and important documents. But there are restrictions here too. After all, the money must also be usable and precious metals must have a high value density in order to be transportable. Nobody carries kilos of silver around with them. Diamonds as such are of little interest to most people, as their authenticity can hardly be proven. All these factors speak for themselves and only the rarest metal on earth, namely osmium, can be considered as “the solution” as a high-yield and crisis-proof investment opportunity.
Wristwatches
The company responsible for the certification and distribution of crystalline osmium, the Osmium-Institut Deutschland, is entrusted with the worldwide distribution of the metal to investors and jewelers. The first notable collaborations in the luxury goods sector were with exclusive watch designers. Manufacturers Hublot, Ulysse-Nardin, WH&T and, more recently, UNE have integrated osmium into their original and elegant wristwatch designs. The unique sparkle of osmium is praised for its individuality and beauty every time it appears on a watch face.
In addition to luxurious wristwatches, osmium is also a popular jewelry investment. Its bluish hue – a unique color among all other precious metals – goes particularly well with rose and yellow gold jewelry. This combination is used for everything from dynamic necklaces to discreet wedding rings. A particularly attractive feature of crystalline osmium for jewelers is its ability to be cut into the finest inlays without having to be broken down into several pieces – a property not found in any other high-quality shiny material used in jewelry making.
The rarity of osmium alone is enough to get people talking. The rarest metal in the world! The fact that the metal has a stunning natural appearance only makes it even more attractive. In its crystalline form, the best properties of the metal come into their own: inalterability, unsurpassed value and incredible natural beauty all in one. Osmium’s journey into the world of luxury has only just begun – it remains to be seen where the Sunshine Element’s journey will take it.
