Let's get acquainted with iridium. Iridium is a precious platinum metal. The crystal has a white-gold color, high strength and poor flexibility in processing. It is one of the most expensive, but costs less than gold, platinum and osmium. All people who earn more than 20 thousand rubles can buy iridium. per month. However, it is important even for them to know what weight category of jewelry they can afford. Iridium price per 1 gram in rubles - let's find out!
The price of iridium for 2021 in comparison with other metals is presented in this table:
| Precious metal, name | Cost per 1 gram in rubles |
| Gold | 2300 rub./g. |
| Silver | 34 rub./g. |
| Platinum | 1720 rub./g. |
| Osmium | 728 rub./g. |
| Ruthenium | 120 rub./g. |
| Iridium | 1719 rub./g. |
| Palladium | 1420 rub./g. |
| Rhodium | 1710 rub./g. |
These price indicators were compiled for May 2021, however, on any given day the price of iridium varies from 0.01 to 1 ruble.
Having found out the cost of iridium per 1 gram, many will decide: “Why buy an unknown metal that is not very popular if there is gold and silver?”
For some, this approach will be correct, but for people who are looking for something new, seek knowledge and love everything interesting, they should take a closer look at iridium. The information below will help with this.
What is
Iridium is a silvery-white shiny metal, a platinum group.
Element of the periodic table number 77, international name – Iridium (Ir).
Very hard (6.5 Mohs), refractory, dense. Resistant to corrosion even at extreme temperatures.
Iridium is one of the two hardest and rarest metals. Its content in the earth's crust is 10 times less than platinum, 40 times less than gold. By weight, this is one millionth of a percent.
He is considered noble by jewelers and financiers.
History of discovery
The history of the discovery of iridium is associated with the name of the British chemist Smithson Tennant. While examining platinum ore from the mines of South America (1803), he tried to isolate pure metal. By treating the ore with aqua regia, an insoluble residue was obtained. Substances unknown to science were discovered here. These were iridium and osmium.
The name came naturally. Tennant was impressed by the iridescence of the salts of the new metal, and he named it iridium.
Iris was the name of the ancient Greek goddess of the rainbow.
The scientist was elected a member of the Royal Society of London, and in 1804, for the discovery of osmium and iridium, he was awarded the Copley Medal, the society's highest award.
Physico-chemical characteristics
Iridium looks like any metal in the platinum family. More resistant to corrosion than gold and platinum, up to 100°C inert to acids and acidic combinations.
| Properties of the atom | |
| Name, symbol, number | Iridium / Iridium (Ir), 77 |
| Atomic mass (molar mass) | 192.217(3) a. e.m. (g/mol) |
| Electronic configuration | [Xe] 4f14 5d7 6s2 |
| Atomic radius | 136 pm |
| Chemical properties | |
| Covalent radius | 127 pm |
| Ion radius | (+4e) 68 pm |
| Electronegativity | 2.20 (Pauling scale) |
| Electrode potential | Ir←Ir3+ 1.00 V |
| Oxidation states | 9, 7, 8, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, −1, −3 |
| Ionization energy (first electron) | 868.1 (9.00) kJ/mol (eV) |
| Thermodynamic properties of a simple substance | |
| Density (at normal conditions) | 22.65/22.56±0.01 g/cm³ |
| Melting temperature | 2739 K (2466 °C, 4471 °F) |
| Boiling temperature | 4701 K (4428 °C, 8002 °F) |
| Ud. heat of fusion | 26.0 kJ/mol |
| Ud. heat of vaporization | 610 kJ/mol |
| Molar heat capacity | 25.1 J/(K mol) |
| Molar volume | 8.54 cm³/mol |
| Crystal lattice of a simple substance | |
| Lattice structure | cubic face-centered |
| Lattice parameters | 3.840 Å |
| Debye temperature | 430.00 K |
| Other characteristics | |
| Thermal conductivity | (300 K) 147 W/(m K) |
| CAS number | 7439-88-5 |
Not toxic, but hexavalent fluoride is poisonous. This disadvantage is taken into account at enterprises that use iridium raw materials.
Iridium and rhodium wire
Iridium and rhodium wire according to GOST 19351-74. Used in instrument making and other industries. Wire dimensions are given in table. below.
DIMENSIONS OF IRIDIUM AND RHODIUM WIRE ACCORDING TO GOST 19351—74, mm
| D | ΔD |
| 0,06; 0,07; 0,08; 0,09 0,10; 0,11; 0,12; 0,14; 0,15; 0,16; 0,18; 0,20; 0,22; 0,25; 0,28 0,30; 0,32; 0,36; 0,40; 0,45; 0,50; 0,56; 0,60; 0,70 0,80; 0,90 1,00; 1,10; 1,20; 1,50; 1,60; 1,80; 2,00; 2,20; 2,50; 2,80; 3,00 | —0,013 —0,035 —0,06 —0,07 —0,12 |
Note: Iridium wire is made with a diameter of 0.1 mm or more.
Iridium and rhodium wire are made using hot drawing. The chemical composition complies with GOST 13099-67 and GOST 13098-67.
The surface of the wire is clean, smooth, without films, cracks, holes or delaminations. Surface damage is allowed that does not lead the wire beyond the maximum deviations in diameter during its control stripping, as well as tarnished colors and local darkening.
The theoretical mass of the wire and its electrical resistance are given in table. below.
THEORETICAL WEIGHT OF 1 m WIRE FROM IRIDIUM AND RHODIUM ACCORDING TO GOST 19351-74
| D , mm | Cross-sectional area, mm2 | Theoretical mass of 1 m of wire, g, for metal grades | |
| And 99.9-99.8 | Rd 99.9—99.8 | ||
| 0,06 0,07 0,08 0,09 0,10 0,11 0,12 0,14 0,15 0,16 0,18 0,20 0,22 0,25 0,28 0,30 0,32 0,36 0,40 0,45 0,50 0,56 0,60 0,70 0,80 0,90 1,00 1,10 1,20 1,50 1,60 1,80 2,00 2,20 2,50 2,80 3,00 | 0,002827 0,003848 0,005026 0,006361 0,00785 0,00950 0,01131 0,01539 0,01707 0,02011 0,02545 0,03142 0,03801 0,04909 0,06157 0,07068 0,08042 0,10179 0,12566 0,1590 0,1963 0,2463 0,2827 0,3848 0,5026 0,6362 0,7854 0,9503 1,1310 1,7671 2,0106 2,5446 3,1415 3,801 4,909 6,157 7,068 | — — — — 0,1761 0,2131 0,2535 0,3451 0,3962 0,4508 0,5705 0,7043 0,8522 1,1005 1,3805 1,5847 1,8031 2,2820 2,8173 3,566 4,402 5,522 6,339 8,628 11,269 14,263 17,608 21,306 25,356 39,619 45,077 57,051 70,433 85,22 110,05 138,05 158,47 | 0,03520 0,04791 0,06257 0,07919 0,0978 0,1183 0,1408 0,1916 0,2200 0,2503 0,3168 0,3911 0,4732 0,6111 0,7666 0,8800 1,0013 1,2672 1,5645 1,980 2,445 3,066 3,520 4,791 6,258 7,920 9,778 11,831 14,080 22,001 25,032 31,681 39,112 47,33 61,11 76,66 88,00 |
ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE OF 1 m WIRES FROM IRIDIUM AND RHODIUM ACCORDING TO GOST 19351-74, Ohm
| D , mm | Metal grade | D , mm | Metal grade | ||
| And 99.9-99.8 | Rd 99.9—99.8 | And 99.9-99.8 | Rd 99.9—99.8 | ||
| 0,10 0,11 0,12 0,14 0,15 0,16 0,18 0,20 0,22 0,25 0,28 0,30 0,32 0,36 0,40 0,45 | 7,00 5,79 4,86 3,57 3,11 2,73 2,16 1,75 1,45 1,12 0,89 0,78 0,68 0,54 0,44 0,346 | 6,37 5,26 4,42 3,25 2,83 2,49 1,96 1,59 1,32 1,02 0,81 0,71 0,62 0,49 0,40 0,314 | 0,50 0,56 0,60 0,70 0,80 0,90 1,00 1,10 1,20 1,50 1,60 1,80 2,00 2,20 2,50 2,80 3,00 | 0,280 0,223 0,195 0,143 0,109 0,086 0,070 0,058 0,049 0,031 0,027 0,022 0,018 0,014 0,011 0,009 0,008 | 0,255 0,203 0,177 0,130 0,099 0,079 0,064 0,053 0,044 0,028 0,025 0,020 0,016 0,013 0,010 0,008 0,007 |
Physical and mechanical properties (temporal resistance σB, electrical resistivity ρ, temperature coefficient of electrical resistance α of iridium and rhodium wire according to GOST 19351-74:
| And 99.9—99.8 | Rd 99.9—99.8 | |
| σB MPa ρ µOhm•cm α 10-3K-1 | 800—1200 5,5 4,5 | 600—1000 5,0 4,6 |
The weight of wire in a coil or on a reel is given in table. below.
WEIGHT OF IRIDIUM AND RHODIUM WIRE ON A REEL (HAND) ACCORDING TO GOST 19351-74, NOT LESS
| D , mm | Weight, g | D , mm | Weight, g | ||
| normal | reduced | normal | reduced | ||
| 0,06—0,10 0,11—0,20 0,22—0,40 | 5,5 16,0 26,0 | 2 4 8 | 0.45-1.0 1.1—2.0 St. 2.0 | 52,0 150,0 300 | 10 50 100 |
Each coil or coil of wire is checked for surface quality and diameter.
The chemical composition of the wire is determined by analyzing a sample taken from each heat.
Wire diameter and ovality are measured in two places at a distance of at least 100 mm from each other in two mutually perpendicular directions in each measured section using micrometers of the type:
- MR (GOST 4381-80) - with a scale division of 0.002 mm for wire with a diameter of up to 0.40 mm inclusive; MK (GOST 6507-78) - for wire with a diameter of more than 0.40 mm.
The surface of the wire is checked visually without the use of magnifying devices. The chemical composition of iridium and rhodium is determined according to the methods provided for by state standards.
Wire with a diameter of 0.3 mm or less is supplied on calibrated metal or plastic spools, wire with a diameter of more than 0.3 mm is supplied in coils. Wire with a diameter of more than 1 mm is supplied in lengths from 100 to 1000 mm.
A coil or skein consists of one piece of wire without splices.
Each batch of wire is supplied with a document certifying its quality.
The wire must be stored in closed, ventilated areas and protected from mechanical damage, moisture and aggressive environments.
Metal in nature
Pure iridium does not occur in nature. Almost always this is a combination with osmium, which is why professionals use the terms “osmic iridium” and “osmiridium alloys”.
There are indigenous deposits of osmic iridium in several regions of the planet: Russia, Canada, USA, South Africa, Papua New Guinea.
Other satellites of the iridium metal in the ore are rhodium and ruthenium.
At mining sites, a closed (mine) method is used.
The total global volume of metal production per year is three to ten tons.
Scientists believe that the origin of the metal is such that the main deposits need to be looked deeper:
- Earth's core. The metal was carried there by iron during the formation of the planet.
- Meteorites.
- Dinosaur bones. They are saturated with iridium, which indirectly confirms the hypothesis that animals died due to a meteorite that crashed into the Earth 65 million years ago.
Spectroscopic analysis has revealed traces of iridium in the solar corona.
There are natural isotopes of the metal. A dozen analogs with a short half-life have been synthesized. The most popular is number 192 (74 days).
Place of iridium among other metals
There are many precious rocks on the planet, but there are 7 best, most expensive metals:
- California-252. Available to nuclear scientists. Californium is very rare; only 5 grams of the element have been found in the world. How much does it cost? The price for 1 year is exorbitant - 10 million dollars. Californian is notable because it is radioactive and releases decay energy equal to the decay energy of 200 kg of radium. Suitable for launching rockets, detonating volcanoes, etc.
- Osmium-187. Costs 200 thousand dollars per gram. It exists in isotope form and is used for the manufacture of incandescent lamps and for coating mechanical friction units in construction equipment.
- Rhodium. It is found in pure form, not powdered. The metal is hard and is used as a catalyst and auxiliary element in glass production.
- Platinum.
- Gold.
- Osmium.
- Iridium.
Extraction and processing
The main volumes of iridium are extracted from sulfate ferrous and nickel ores. Mineralogical exotics provide a little - nevyanskite, urosmiride, sysertskite.
Pure iridium is obtained industrially from the products of processing copper-nickel alloys.
The technology is multi-stage - isolation of platinum group metals from the concentrate, leaching of the residue with water, distillation, exposure to aqua regia. Sedimentary iridium is calcined to obtain pure metal.
There are other methods: ion exchange, extraction. All production technologies are complex and costly.
In Russia, iridium is mined by enterprises in Krasnoyarsk, Yekaterinburg, and Norilsk Nickel.
Areas of application
Pure iridium is not used: it is too expensive and hard. But alloys with it are in demand from science and high technology to jewelry.
Industry
The properties of the metal determined the areas of application in the industrial complex:
- Iridium is used to make dishes, equipment, and catalysts for chemical enterprises.
- Single crystals are grown in iridium crucibles.
- In the automotive industry, this is the material of the electrodes (with copper and platinum) of spark plugs. They last longer and are used for luxury cars.
- Iridium-ruthenium alloys contain electric generators and thermocouples for measuring temperatures up to 2000°C.
- This is an indicator of the quality of welds made of steel and aluminum alloys.
The kilogram and meter standards are made from a platinum-iridium alloy (located in Paris).
The third millennium opened up space prospects:
- American Elements has created a technology for casting seamless iridium rings for use on satellites and spacecraft (2006).
- Metal is present in the displays of computers, televisions, iPhones, and other gadgets based on organic light-emitting diodes (OLED technology).
The nuclear isomer of iridium-192 with a “lifetime” of more than 240 years is considered as an energy source.
Medicine
Surgical instruments and parts of pacemakers are made from an alloy of platinum and iridium.
This is the basis for the development of nuclear medicine. Radionuclide raw materials are produced in nuclear reactors and cyclotrons. 90% goes for export.
Russia is one of the world's top five producers of raw medical isotopes.
Iridium-192 is used in flaw detection and oncologists (gamma knife).
Jewelry
Jewelers value the metal for its strength, using it in an alloy with platinum.
The American company Smithson Tennant was the first to launch the production of iridium jewelry. Iridium wedding rings are positioned by her as eternal in the literal sense: even concentrated acid and time are powerless. They do not require special care or storage conditions.
Jewelry made from alloys with the addition of iridium still looks like it was just purchased after decades.
Jewelry with iridium (even wedding rings) does not wear out and always looks like new. This advantage is especially important for products that experience increased loads (wedding rings, rings, bracelets).
Other areas
Iridium is revered by geologists and paleontologists: it is a marker of the age of layers of the earth's crust and extinct organisms.
The only coin in the world - iridium fineness 999 - was issued in 2013 by the National Bank of Rwanda (a state in eastern Africa). The denomination was 10 local francs.
Until the 1980s, iridium alloy balls were found in the nibs of luxury fountain pens, including the legendary Parker 51. It is an attribute of the elite and an accessory for the luxury fan of James Bond.
How much does an element from different deposits cost?
- The most expensive specimens are found in meteorites (they are considered museum exhibits - the price starts from 5,000 rubles per 1 gram).
- Iridium crystals separated from platinum have an average price (3,000 rubles).
- Metal bases found in folded rocks of the mountains of Russia, in peretonite rocks of Canada, South Africa, etc. (950-1900) are of low cost.
The cost depends not only on the deposit, but also on the number of its deposits in the world.
Also, the price of iridium is affected by the long and complex process of purification from impurities and residues of other metals on its surface.
