While everything that shimmers isn’t gold, some precious shimmering metals are more valuable than gold. Precious metals are naturally occurring metallic compounds that are generally less reactive than other elements and have a dynamic luster. Throughout history, precious metals were considered as important if not more valuable than currency.

Today, precious metals are viewed and collected for their industrial commodity value and as relatively safe vehicles for investment. Yet, the value of these precious metals isn’t derived from their applicational use. Instead, the value of the following precious metals is derived from the metal’s store of use and investment value. The following precious metals are the most expensive, rarest, and most desirable metals in the world.

1. Platinum is a spectacular dazzling silvery metal that is the second most precious and expensive metal in the world. Platinum became widely recognized and popular in the jewelry industry due to its amazing reflective properties in light. Platinum is known for its non-corrosive properties, density, and excellent malleability. Adding to the metal’s allure and exclusivity, platinum is only found in South Africa, Russia, Canada, and a few other places.  Its price today is $1527 / oz.
2. Gold has been idolized, set as the world wide standard, and adored as early as the Egyptian period through to the 19th century when miners stormed California looking for nuggets. Today, gold remains to be one of the most precious metals and one of the best investment options because of its amazing durability, desirability, and malleability. Currently, gold is selling for $1382.74,  The majority of gold is mined in South Africa, the United States, Australia, and in China. While gold commonly lends its beauty for jewelry, its highly conductive properties makes it ideal for electronics.
3. Rhodium, at $1010.00 / oz is the third most expensive and precious metal that exists in the world. Rhodium’s reflective properties make the metal instrumental in making mirrors, jewelry finish, and other reflective items like search lights. The high melting point of rhodium allows the metal to withstand corrosion. In effect, rhodium is ideal in the manufacturing of catalytic applications in the automotive industry and as additives in the industrial field. With 60% of Rhodium being found in South Africa and the remainder found in Russia, rhodium is relatively rare.
4. Ruthenium was discovered in 1844 by Russian scientist Karl Karlovic Klaus. As a precious metal from the platinum group, ruthenium is a bright grey metal that keeps several of the platinum group’s properties. This precious metal currently sells at $77 / oz and is found in the same areas and ores as its platinum relatives. Ruthenium is extremely useful when it is isolated through an advanced chemical process. Afterwards, the metal can be added to platinum and palladium to make the alloy compound harder and more resistant to scratches. The precious metal has even found many uses in the electronics industry as an effective plate for electrical contacts.
5. Iridium is another member of the platinum group, but this dynamic metallic element is simply extreme. The whitish alloy maintains one of the highest densities among all metals, maintains an extremely high melting point, and iridium resists corrosive better than any other metal. This extremist metal amazingly can withstand water, air, and even acid. As you would expect, this extreme metal is difficult to manipulate and obtain. With roots in South Africa, this extreme metal is processed as a byproduct of nickel mining and platinum ore. The extreme characteristics of this metal lend its features to medical advancements, the automobile industry, electronics industry, and even is instrumental in pens, compasses, and watches. Most recently, jewelers have been interested in the brilliant luster, low-tarnish factor, and amazingly high shine of the metal. As of today, Iridium can be purchased for $825 / oz.