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Why Does the World Need Tellurium
With just a quick glance at the technological and industrial developments in the world that are virtually taking over our lives – tablets, smartphones, and other indicators of modernity – you’ve probably surmised that a handful of important metals have made much of these advancements possible.
In fact, rare earth metals such as Gadolinium, Terbium and about 17 others are of increasing importance to the precise industries that are driving economic growth in the industrialized countries of the world. They are termed, for that reason, strategic elements – for two reasons, in fact: they are very important, and access to them is somewhat unstable (for various reasons; political, geographical, or other).
Tellurium: Not a Rare Earth Metal – But Rare
Tellurium isn’t specifically a rare earth metal; but it is a very rare metal that is proving essential important for future work in photovoltaics; with thermoelectrical applications. Because the abundance of tellurium is similar to that of gold, unless a particular country controls reserves, it may be difficult to come by in an industrial race centered on technology that is dependent on it. Furthermore, unlike other elements, tellurium can’t be produced inexpensively using technologies; whatever’s on earth is pretty much the quota. A few other uses:
- physical properties that make it excellent for fiber optic cables in telecommunication
- cadmium-telluride solar cells
- rubber with markedly-improved heat resistance
- thermoelectric and infrared instruments
Why Tellurium is Worth Investigating as an Asset
Although tellurium might be as scarce as the element gold, it is considerably cheaper – currently. This state is very important, because as high technology continues its unceasing march forward, and its products become subject to greater demand, you can expect the price to rise almost without bound. The solid state physics (think semiconductors, refrigeration, etc) of tellurium are truly unique, and are practically salivated over by physicists and material scientists for the considerable increases in efficiency it bestows devices made of it. This leads to less energy used for particular tasks, among other benefits.
Similarly to some of the more robust rare earth metals that are rising in importance, tellurium has a shot at reaching gold’s economic potential in some areas. Consider that the gold mined in the world today is used for jewelry, electronics, asset protection, etc.; tellurium probably won’t be attractive for use as jewelry – but the scarcity and importance may combine to make a very valuable metal indeed.
By far, though, the greatest demand for tellurium and reason for its growing worth would be the afore-mentioned technical uses. There are some things which today, simply can’t be done as effectively without employing tellurium alloys. Whosoever holds the key (or one of several keys, more likely) to amounts of this strategic rare earth metal “cousin”, stands to have their reserves much in demand. It finds use in the automotive industry and thermocouples as well, further adding to its growing worth.
An Investment Future
Ultimately, the landscape of asset protection strategies is shifting to the more long-term, assured instruments like the rare earth metals and tellurium. Their appeal and widespread necessity have fostered a niche for savvy investors to find an alternative means of making sure their wealth is secured; often in a steadily-growing (inevitably-growing, too) investment vehicle. Some figures put the presence of elements like tellurium at greater than 80% of all the electronics you see today; which is a figure that is sure to grow, given the rapid pace of development of those industries that depend on them. Their intimate dependence on supply and demand make them a great investment for a certain class of investor.
Not all Rare Earth Metals are Rare. But they are messy.
Rare Earth Metals
Although seldom precisely defined or understood, the term ‘rare earth metals’ is nevertheless familiar to many in a casual way. That’s because they are:
- not quite as scarce as might be expected when associated with the word ‘rare,’ and
- commonly used in an increasing array of information technology (IT) and other consumer / industrial products.
Rare earth metals consist of 17 elements found in the center of the periodic table that were once exceptionally difficult and expensive to extract from nature, making them equally difficult to commercially acquire.
Very useful, they can be found in such products as aerospace components, camera lenses, computer monitors, fluorescent lamps, glass, hybrid cars, lasers, magnets, refrigeration units, televisions, vanadium steel, X-ray components, and wind turbines, among numerous other items.
Rare earth metals can be an actual part of the finished product or instrumental to the process of manufacturing them. Their uses continue to proliferate.
Extracting and Using Rare Earth Metals
One of the major problems using rare earth metals is the high cost of extraction and production. In addition, the overall environmental impact of either process can be excessive and dangerous. Thus, some nations remain reluctant to excavate their own rare earth reserves and seek them from other countries, primarily China, which produces about 92% of the current international market.
Moreover, relatively few countries have access to rare earth metals in their natural form and, of these, only several of the 17 are available in a pure state. Part of their rarity is a result of their limited natural availability or the hesitance of nations to access them, because of potentially dire environmental consequences.
In addition, many are more frequently derived as bi-products of producing other metals, complicating their overall acquisition.
However, their importance is growing, since they can be innovatively applied for extremely specialized tasks, either during manufacturing processes or as finished products.
The ‘messiness’ inherent in extraction of rare earth metals is threefold; they:
- require often specialized mining processes that can be very expensive, while
- generating significant ecological distress to the surrounding environment, leading to
- strained diplomatic relations among certain nations (basically much of the West v. China), and the potential of subsequent economic sanctions.
Investing in Rare Earth Metals
The fact is, however, despite these issues, diplomatic repercussions and economic sanctions have thus far been essentially confined to warnings, for the simple reason that rare earth metals are so valuable. They are used in too many manufacturing processes or as finished products to exclude their exploitation on the largest possible scale.
The fact that many of these products are connected to IT — cell phone components, computer monitors, high-temperature superconductors — medicine — PET Scan detectors, X-ray tubes — or anything connected with aerospace, chemical reducing agents, lasers, or nuclear batteries, strongly suggests a growing market well into the future. Under these circumstances, investment in rare earth metals is well advised, negative publicity attached to their extraction notwithstanding.
Moreover, the use of these elements in the manufacture of such environmentally green products as automobile hybrids, catalytic converters, and wind turbines at least somewhat diminishes the impact of pollution caused by mining them. And while China has yet to implement any real reduction in ecologically-challenged extraction processes, these will develop as technologies for rare element mining improve. Better removal processes and entry of more nations into the marketplace should lower investment costs while increasing competition, diminishing China’s current monopolistic position in the industry.
Revenues and profits should improve for all. Thus, no one should be dissuaded from investing in rare earth metals.
What are the World’s Most Precious Metals?
When the term, “precious metals” is used, most people will only think of gold, silver or platinum. More informed individuals may even include palladium and indium in the group. The truth is slightly more complex, however. In addition to the more usual uses for gold and silver in the creation of jewelry and other adornments, there are another dozen or so precious metals that are highly prized for their chemical properties by a variety of industries.
By and large, these metals are scarce and require enormous amounts of time, energy and capital to produce. For these reasons, the actual value of precious metals varies depending on the industry involved but, in all cases, they are rare, in constant demand and growing ever scarcer.
Understanding the uses of precious metals in the various industries involved can go a long way to assuring the investor that there will be a strong and continued for all precious metals. It can also help the prudent investor to assemble a diverse basket of metals that will appreciate in value, protect against inflation and always retain their inherent value. The following examples illustrate some of the more usual baskets that are currently offered by precious metal’s dealers:
High Tech - Gold and Silver
These two metals are most often purchased by individuals as jewelry for personal use. Still, the demand for investment grade coins and bullion has steadily increased over the past two decades as everyone from pawn shops to governments have sought to increase their gold and silver holdings. Gold and silver are also in demand by a variety of industries such as electronics, medicine and computers. New uses are still being found for gold, most notably in the aerospace industry and significant amounts of gold can be found on any modern spacecraft.
Solar Energy & Indium
The photovoltaic cells used in the generation of electricity are a technological wonder that is partly based on the work of none other than Albert Einstein and on the remarkable properties of three precious metals, indium, gallium and hafnium. Indium, in particular, is indispensible for its inclusion in high power silicon chips that pushes their efficiency just above the 40% mark. A rapidly diminishing supply – some experts claim that there is only 10 years’ worth left - is another factor that bodes well for an increase in this metal’s price.
Defense
Tantalum, rhenium, tungsten as well as the previously mentioned indium and gallium are the precious metals important to the defense industry. The industry produces a range of very specialized systems and weapons that require these metals to have their maximum intended effect.
These facts make these precious metals of particular interest to the investor as the military has essentially unlimited resources when it comes to the acquisition of needed materials. In short, the defense industry can pay whatever the market demands to meet their raw material needs.
The Overall Picture for Precious Metals
The above three areas are only a small cross section of the key industries around the world that are increasingly in need of precious metals. In addition to the common metals mentioned above, various industries are also in need of tellurium, tantalum, bismuth and a host of lesser known metals.
Despite ever better mining and refinement technologies, the supply of precious metals continues to tighten. It seems that the more the world produces, the more uses are found for them. Pardon the pun but precious metals have a particularly bright future and investors would be well advised to consider them for any investment portfolio.
Industrial Uses of Silver You May Not Know About
The exact time to invest in silver or any other precious metal is never certain but one fact is for certain; precious metals, in general, and silver in particular are becoming rarer every second of the day. Not only are they prized for their inherent value but they are also used in a wide variety of much needed manufacturing and industrial processes. From its inclusion in jewelry through its use as biological reagents to its use as a catalysts in almost every industrial textile application, silver is in strong demand by almost every industry throughout the world. Here are some of its more important uses:
Medicine & Pharmaceuticals
In addition to its usual use in the dental amalgams used to fill cavities, silver is also of benefit to the medical industry because of its germicidal properties. Many topical creams, gels and impregnated bandages contain silver as their antimicrobial agent. Silver is used for tracheal tubes and for catheters because of the demonstrated, reduced risk of bacterial infection.
Petrochemicals & Textiles
The superior catalytic properties of silver make it ideal for use in many commercial oxidation reactions. In particular, screens composed of almost pure silver are used to create formaldehyde from methanol and silver is also the only catalyst available to affordably make ethylene oxide, an important step in the synthesis of polyester.
Music & Electronics
Silver has long been a favorite of audiophiles who insist that the use of silver in the conductors of audio connector cables, speaker wires, and power cables provide a pure, more desirable sound. Similarly, many musical performers embrace the tonal qualities of silver and silver alloy musical instruments. Silver is also a key component in the construction of most electronic “motherboards” and I many advanced, miniaturized batteries.
Advanced Technology
While the term “silvering” is actually a misnomer for most everyday mirrors – aluminum is more commonly used – silver is used in high-end applications such as telescopes, including the Hubble Space Telescope. In addition, silver can be found in the best photovoltaic cells in solar power generating systems. Lastly, silver is the chief component in the control rods of many nuclear reactors.
The Bottom Line
As can be seen, silver, its alloys and its compounds are used across a broad range of industries. While many of these applications use only a small amount of silver per item, the sheer magnitude of these operations consumes immense quantities of the metal. The demand for silver only continues to grow as new uses are found for this incredibly versatile metal.
It is an almost immutable law that as demand increases, so does price. Prices for silver have steadily increased over the past decade. More and more investors are turning to precious metals and silver in particular, as a hedge against future economic uncertainty and as an excellent investment. In short, there may never again be a better time to invest in silver.
Due to its industrial applications, silver makes a strong investment. Click here to learn about more reasons to invest in silver.
Why the Future of Precious Metals Look Bright
Precious metals have been valued by men since before the dawn of recorded history. Their original value may have been in their beauty and rarity but, in the early decades of the 21st century, they have become a symbol of 
enduring value that can weather the storms of economic uncertainty and strife. In fact, these days, precious metals are more than mere objects of beauty. Instead, they are an important component of any prudent retirement or other long-term financial plan with an incredibly bright future.
Precious Metals are in Demand
As their name implies, these are a group of metallic elements that are both rare and prized for their intrinsic worth. Recognized as a convenient way to accumulate and store wealth, different metals have been sought after, throughout history, by everyone from the lowliest peasants to the mightiest rulers.
In this regard, the 21st century is no different from any other time. Everyone from rap and pop stars through Hollywood celebrities to the average investors look to metals to adorn their bodies and, more importantly, their investment portfolios. There has never been a greater demand for precious and strategic metals than now. Even countries jealously guard their stocks of precious and rare metals in impregnable fortresses like Fort Knox.
They are Appropriate for Any Investment Account
Since their discovery, precious metals have held a fascination for mankind. They are beautiful to display in good times but, more importantly, are an invaluable asset when times are tough. Even in these uncertain times, an investment in precious metals should be part of any prudent investors plan. In short, good times or bad, there is never a bad idea to invest in precious metals
Precious metals are essentially the only investment that has weathered the entire financial track record of humanity. Paper currency relies on the full faith and credit of its government backers while bonds, CDs and derivatives are only so many electronic 1’s and 0’s.
These “strategic” metals have been used as a hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty for millennia and are certainly appropriate for any investment account. Even the most optimistic, modern financial planners recommend that a financial portfolio contain 5-10% precious metals. In addition, unlike any other financial asset, an investor can take physical possession of precious metals to guard against the absolute worst of times.
Easy to Purchase and Include in Your Future Plans
The purchase of precious metals is as easy and convenient as the purchase of any other financial instrument. Prices are dependent on the world market and are adjusted on a daily basis. Reputable dealers only make a small percentage on each sale.
Once purchased, buyers can take physical delivery or choose to allow a third party to safeguard their investment. In either case, the investor has taken a positive step towards securing a sound financial future regardless of which way the money markets or Wall Street go.
The Bright Future of Precious Metals
It should be increasingly clear that, regardless of the political party in power, investors will have to secure their own financial futures. Safeguarding that future with carefully considered investments in a wide variety of investment vehicles is the only prudent choice. In particular, the bright future of precious and strategic metals offers a unique investment opportunity that combines the security of a hard asset with a proven inflation hedge. Look no further than history for the proof. Through boom times, depressions and every other economic climate, people have turned to precious metals to secure their wealth and to guarantee their future.
Most investors don’t understand how to invest in rare and strategic metals, or why they can be such a powerful addition to your portfolio. Gain your “unfair” advantage now by reading our free Strategic Metals report. You can get it free here.
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