There's no doubt about it. Diamonds are expensive. Diamonds cost more than gold or platinum.
Palladium is currently the most expensive of the four major precious metals - gold, silver, platinum and palladium. It is scarcer than platinum, and is being used in great quantities for catalytic converters in cars.
There are many gems that are more valuable than diamonds. Emeralds, sapphires, rubies, garnets, and alexandrite, just to name a few.
Platinum is stronger, more durable and more likely to last a lifetime. All in all, platinum is the most precious metal that will hold it's beauty through every single one of life's journeys.
RHODIUM: TOP MOST VALUABLE METAL.
Palladium, by itself, is great for jewelry production. Its malleability makes it excellent for holding diamonds in place while still being durable enough to resist scratches better than platinum or white gold. Since it's naturally white, there's no need to rhodium-plate, so it's lower maintenance.
1. Rhodium. Rhodium is a rare, silvery-white metal that belongs to the platinum group of elements.
Approximately 88 tons of platinum are used to make jewelry every year compared to 2,700 tons of gold. Because of its rarity, platinum is valuable and will hold its value as the years pass.
Platinum is generally valued higher than gold. This is because platinum is rarer than gold, has a higher density and is purer. Platinum rings require more platinum than gold rings require gold, which can increase the overall cost.
To be considered platinum, a piece must contain 95% or more of the metal, making it one of the purest precious metals you can buy. Over time, platinum will fade in a different way. It won't turn yellow, like yellow gold; but, it will begin to lose its shiny finish and build a natural patina (more on this in a bit).
Emerald. Rarer than diamonds, emeralds are also more expensive than the same quality diamond. Their colouring ranges from green to blue-green, and the darker the colour, the more expensive they are.
Tanzanite is a shocking 1000 times more rare than a diamond. Discovered for the first time in 1967 and only found in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, these gemstones go for about $1,500 per carat. Tanzanite has the ability to change color depending on the angle of light it is in.
The rarity of platinum is what makes it valuable. Just as in everything else, when there is greater demand compared to supply, the value of object increases. The same can be said for platinum. Compared to many metals, both gold and platinum are rare.
International Space Station: $150 Billion
The most expensive thing in the world is related to the Universe and it is the International Space Station. The amount which has gone towards its existence in terms of building and designing is $150 billion.
Titanium is stronger and lighter than platinum, making it an ideal choice for pieces that need extra durability, like rings or bracelets; however, due to its rarity, platinum tends to be more expensive than titanium but can still be used in smaller pieces like pendants or earrings without sacrificing comfort or style.
Some investors may want to prioritize stability and long-term investing. In that case, gold is likely the better option. The precious metal has a longstanding history of reliable demand which often spikes during economic downturns. On the other hand, platinum usually performs better during times of economic growth.
HARDER, BETTER, RARER, STRONGER
For starters, gold is far more abundant in the earth's crust, making platinum rarer. Whilst 1,500 tons of gold are mined annually, only 160 tons of platinum are extracted.
Experts posit that platinum is about 15–20 times scarcer than gold and approximately 60–100 times scarcer than silver, on the basis of annual mine production. Since 2014, platinum prices have fallen lower than gold. Approximately 75% of global platinum is mined in South Africa.
This is because platinum provides a sturdy grip for diamonds and gemstones to keep them in place. Unfortunately, when the jewellery is still embedded with stones, it cannot be easily sold. The stones need to be removed to sell the platinum as a scrap precious metal first.
The only disadvantages to platinum are the higher cost and heavier weight. For example, platinum is a great metal for necklaces, bracelets and rings but not earrings, because the heavy weight may pull down more on your ears and cause discomfort.
Platinum is extremely durable and strong making it ideal for jewellery that's worn on a daily basis. It's highly resistant to stress and withstands both extreme heat and extreme cold, which means platinum jewellery will retain its good looks better than any other metal.
Rhodium. The most expensive and valuable metal in the world is Rhodium.
Blue Diamond – $3.93 million per carat
The most expensive and rarest gemstone in the world is a natural blue diamond. That explains the price of $3.93 million per carat. Blue diamonds were discovered in India and later displayed in a London collection in 1839.
Rhodium, iridium and ruthenium are perhaps the rarest, roughly 1/5 as common as platinum. However, the sale price of rhodium is typically a bit less than that of platinum, and the rest are even less expensive because they are simply less useful.