There is no other product in the world whose price has fluctuated as much as gold. Over the past 50 years, its price has increased by more than 6.500 percent. To illustrate, Georgi Hristov from TavexSerbia company explained that if someone had invested 1.000dollars in gold in the 1970s, they would have 66.000 dollars today. However, despite gold approaching a record price this year – estimated to possibly reach 3.000 dollars – it is still not the most expensive metal in the world.
Not even close.
The most expensive metal in the world is californium, first synthesized in 1950. It is incredibly valuable due to its extreme rarity and its applications in medicine, industry, and security.
Global reserves of 10 grams
Californium is a synthetic element, meaning it does not occur naturally on Earth and must be produced in a laboratory. It was first synthesized at the University of Berkeley.
It is extremely rare, with only 40 to 50 milligrams produced annually. By the end of 2023, the global reserves of this metal amounted to about 10 grams, split between the United States(U.S.) and Russia, the only countries capable of synthesizing it.
The complexity of its production makes it incredibly expensive. It is created by bombarding plutonium-239 with neutrons in a nuclear reactor. The resulting isotope, californium-252, is then separated from other materials and purified, a lengthy and costly process. The production requires specialized equipment and expertise, and the demand for californium-252 is relatively low compared to other materials, further contributing to its high price.
Useful in medicine
The production cost of californium-252 is estimated at 27 milliondollars per gram. In addition to the complex production process, its high price is influenced by its short half-life and relatively low demand.
It is highly valued and useful in several industries. Being highly radioactive, it emits both alpha and neutron particles, making it valuable in various applications requiring a strong neutron source. It is used in cancer treatment to destroy cancer cells and in detecting and measuring oil deposits deep underground.
In the industrial sector, californium is used in neutron radiography for quality control of materials and welded joints. Its ability to detect internal defects makes it indispensable in areas such as construction and the production of high-precision equipment.
Photo: CCDC
