Most Expensive Substances in the World

#15 Gold-$56/gram
 

Pure gold is soft and is usually alloyed with other metals, such as silver, copper, platinum or palladium, to increase its strength. Gold alloys are used to make jewelry, decorative items, dental fillings and coins. Gold is a good conductor of heat and electricity, and does not tarnish when it is exposed to the air, so it can be used to make electrical connectors and printed circuit boards.






#14 Rhodium-$58/gram

 William Hyde Wollaston (who also discovered palladium, which doesn't appear on this list of most expensive substances), an English chemist, discovered rhodium in crude platinum ore.

Though the name comes from the Greek word for "red", there's nothing red about it. It is a strong, hard metal, and is often used to improve the hardness and conductivity of other metals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

#13 Platinum-$60-gram

 

 Platinum is indeed a special substance, with value in industry, ornament and environmental improvement. More than 20% of all consumer goods either contain platinum or are produced using platinum; it's in jewelry and catalytic converters, electronics and anti-cancer drugs... and eight tons of ore produce just an ounce of it.