Rare earth metals: prices, uses and supply
The 17 rare earth elements are the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. They go into magnets, catalysts, phosphors, lasers and medical imaging. Each profile below covers what the element is used for, what it costs, where it comes from and how investors get exposure.
Latest prices What are rare earth metals? Light vs heavy rare earths Rare earth stocks
Rare earth and gallium prices
China and outside China, checked November 7, 2026 · All prices
The 17 rare earth elements
Cerium
Light rare earth element
Cerium is the most abundant rare earth element, about 66 parts per million of the Earth's crust, roughly as common as copper. It's widely…
Dysprosium
Heavy rare earth element
Dysprosium is crucial for creating high-performance magnets that maintain their magnetic properties at high temperatures. This makes it…
Erbium
Heavy rare earth element
Erbium is particularly valuable in fiber-optic communication technology, where it's used to amplify signals. Its pink salts are used in…
Europium
Light rare earth element
Europium is one of the rarest and most reactive rare earth elements. It's essential for producing the red color in television and computer…
Gadolinium
Heavy rare earth element
Gadolinium possesses unusual metallurgic properties, with high neutron absorption capabilities and remarkable magnetic characteristics. It's…
Holmium
Heavy rare earth element
Holmium has the highest magnetic moment of any naturally occurring element, making it valuable for creating powerful magnetic fields. It's…
Lanthanum
Light rare earth element
Lanthanum is one of the most reactive rare earth elements and the first in the lanthanide series. It's used extensively in high-end optics,…
Lutetium
Heavy rare earth element
Lutetium is the last element in the lanthanide series and one of the most expensive rare earth elements. It's used in PET scanners for…
Neodymium
Light rare earth element
Neodymium is perhaps the most commercially significant rare earth element today. It's essential for creating the powerful permanent magnets…
Praseodymium
Light rare earth element
Praseodymium is a soft, silvery-white metal that is valued for its magnetic and optical properties. It's commonly used in combination with…
Promethium
Light rare earth element
Promethium is unique among rare earth elements as it has no stable isotopes and is extremely rare in nature. It's primarily produced…
Samarium
Light rare earth element
Samarium is particularly known for its use in samarium-cobalt magnets, which maintain their magnetic properties at high temperatures. It's…
Scandium
Rare earth element (grouped separately)
Scandium is a silvery-white, lightweight rare earth metal that was discovered in 1879. It is counted among the 17 rare earth elements but is…
Terbium
Heavy rare earth element
Terbium is a scarce heavy rare earth metal whose ions glow bright green. Today its main use is in high-temperature NdFeB magnets for…
Thulium
Heavy rare earth element
Thulium is one of the rarest rare earth elements. It's used in portable X-ray devices and specialized laser systems. The element's isotopes…
Ytterbium
Heavy rare earth element
Ytterbium is used in fiber optic technology and as a dopant in specialized optical fibers. It's also valuable in radiation monitoring and as…
Yttrium
Heavy rare earth element
Yttrium is a silvery rare earth metal that was discovered in the late 18th century. It's widely used in making red phosphors for LED…
Start here: rare earth reference guides
- Rare earth metals What rare earth metals are, with all 17 elements
- Light vs heavy rare earth elements How the 17 elements split into light and heavy
- Rare earth reserves and production by country USGS 2026 production and reserves tables
- China’s rare earth export controls Which elements need a licence, with dates
- Rare earth stocks Listed producers and developers
- Rare earth ETFs and mutual funds What rare earth funds hold
- Rare earth magnets NdFeB vs SmCo, grades and supply
- Rare earth minerals The ores rare earths come from
- The rarest metals on Earth Ranked by abundance in the crust
- The most expensive metals in the world Ranked by price per kg, Nov 2026
Facts About Rare-Earth Metals
Economic Significance
Despite their name, rare-earth metals are relatively abundant in Earth's crust. However, their extraction and processing are complex and environmentally challenging, and China dominates the market: it mined about 270,000 of the world's 390,000 tons of rare earth oxide in 2025 (about 69%, USGS) and carries out most of the world's separation and refining.
Technological Applications
Rare-earth metals are critical components in modern technologies including smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and military defense systems. Their unique properties make them indispensable for miniaturization and efficiency improvements.
Supply Chain Concerns
Global rare-earth metal supply chains face significant geopolitical risks due to concentrated production. Many countries consider rare earths "critical materials" and are developing strategies to secure stable supplies through recycling, alternative materials, and new mining operations.
Environmental Impact
The extraction and processing of rare-earth metals can cause significant environmental damage, including radioactive waste, toxic acids, and habitat destruction. Sustainable mining practices and recycling are becoming increasingly important for responsible rare-earth production.