There is probably more out there, at the right price point.
Osmium tetroxide is used for staining in electron microscopy.
That’s the only use for it that comes to mind.
Sounds like a Market Corner operation.
Via GROK 3
Osmium is one of the rarest elements in the Earth’s crust, and its ore is not found in isolated deposits but rather as a trace element in ores of other metals, particularly platinum and nickel. Below are the primary sources of osmium ore, based on its natural occurrence and extraction methods:
Primary Sources of Osmium Ore
Platinum-Group Metal (PGM) Ores:
Osmium is primarily obtained as a by-product of mining platinum and other platinum-group metals (PGMs) such as iridium, rhodium, ruthenium, and palladium.
It occurs in native alloys with platinum or iridium, such as siserskite (up to 80% osmium), iridosmine, aurosmiridium (25% osmium), or as trace amounts in native platinum.
Major deposits are found in:
Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa: The largest known primary reserve of PGMs, where osmium is extracted from platinum-rich ores.
Norilsk, Russia: Large copper-nickel deposits containing PGMs, including osmium.
Sudbury Basin, Canada: Nickel-bearing ores with significant PGM content, including osmium.
Smaller reserves exist in the United States and other regions.
Nickel and Copper Ores:
Osmium is found in trace amounts in nickel and copper sulfide ores, often as compounds like laurite (Ru,Os)S₂ or other PGM sulfides.
During the electrorefining of nickel or copper, osmium, along with other PGMs, settles in the anode sludge (a by-product), which serves as a starting material for osmium extraction.
Read the article, about a thousand words, and not one mention as to why its running out, or where its mined. They mention that China and world markets don’t have abundant sources, but there’s only one anonymous place in the world it’s found?
Journalism ain’t what it used to be.
Osmium is a rare element that does not occur in pure form in nature. It is found in the following ways:
(from Britannica.com)
—In native alloys with other platinum metals, such as siserskite, iridosmine, and aurosmiridium.
—In platinum-bearing river sands in the Urals, North America, and South America.
—In iridiosmium, a naturally occurring alloy of iridium and osmium.
—In nickel-bearing ores with other platinum metals.
—The largest natural reserves of osmium have been discovered in South Africa and are also present in Russia.
Osmium mining is relatively rare, as osmium is typically extracted as a by-product of nickel and copper mining. The main geographic locations for osmium mining include:
South Africa – A major producer of platinum-group metals, including osmium.
Russia – Particularly in regions where nickel and platinum mining is prevalent.
Canada – Found alongside other platinum-group metals in nickel and copper deposits.
United States – Some occurrences in states like Alaska, California, and Colorado.
Oceania – Includes deposits in Australia and surrounding regions.
Africa – Beyond South Africa, other parts of the continent also have osmium occurrences.
If it really becomes completely unavailable, it will be eligible to be renamed to the mythical “unobtainium.”
"the Osmium Institute in Murnau, Germany, is strategically positioning itself as the central authority to manage osmium resources as they near depletion. The institute's state-of-the-art facility is tasked with the delicate job of overseeing the distribution...."
Sounds remotely familiar.... Central authority. Overseeing distribution. With just a touch of German, so EU these days....
Really? Jewelers can’t find other metals that are anti-corrosion? Why on earth is a high melting point important for jewelry? Are folks putting their valuables into the oven?
Guess it’s time to reopen my osmium mine... oh wait.
Yeah, just like “peak oil” bS. Only to ramp up the price on those holding stocks before they open up a “surprise” mine in Whatupifstan.
Osmium, the rarest metal on Earth, is drawing increasing attention not only for its unique properties but also for its staggering value. Currently priced at $1,350 per gram.
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Opals can go for as much as $49,000 per gram.
I’ve got a bunch in my junk drawer