Osmium – The World’s Rarest Precious Metal
Betts Metal Sales customers can now access crystalline osmium for one-of-a-kind jewellery creations as part of a collaboration with the Osmium Institute, the global organisation responsible for certifying and introducing this rare precious metal to international markets.
As a recognised Wholesale Partner, The Betts Group is proud to bring this unique material to the UK market, giving designer-makers, large manufacturers and brands the opportunity to access this sparkly material.
What is Osmium
Osmium is the rarest precious metal in the Earth’s crust, being many thousand times rarer than gold and silver. Trace amounts of osmium are present in platinum ores, where 10,000 tons of platinum ore yield around 30g of osmium. It is not mined as a primary resource and is recovered solely from existing industrial processes, meaning it creates no additional environmental footprint. In its raw form, osmium can be hazardous to health, which historically restricted its applications following its discovery in 1804.
In 2014, an innovative process was developed in Switzerland to highly purify osmium and transform its structure into a stable, sparkling crystalline form that is safe to handle. This material is dense, durable and incredibly reflective, making it suitable for use as an inlay in jewellery design.
Your Destination for Osmium
The Betts Group and the Osmium Institute share a commitment to responsible mining, sustainability and transparency in precious metal supply chains. It was this meeting of minds that led to an exciting collaboration.
Betts Metal Sales customers can now purchase osmium easily within the UK through a direct partnership with the Osmium Institute. While the global headquarters of the Osmium Institute is based in Germany, UK customers can work with Betts Metal Sales for a more straightforward purchasing process.
All invoicing is handled by the Osmium-Institute UK (G Marsh Company Ltd), meaning customers purchase from a UK company, receive a UK invoice, and pay local VAT. There is no need to manage imports, customs procedures, or international administration — the entire process is handled seamlessly behind the scenes. Our team is available to answer any questions, provide samples, and demonstrate how osmium can enhance your jewellery manufacturing and bespoke design work.
Manufacturing with Osmium
Osmium is different to other precious metals in that it is not malleable and can’t be moulded. Instead, it is crystallised into flat disks which are cut using EDM wire cutting to create an inlay material that can be used similarly to hardstones. Its exceptionally reflective crystalline surface has led to the development of so-called “osmium diamonds” — precision-cut round osmium elements that can be used as solitaires.
Beyond this, crystalline osmium offers a unique design advantage: it can be wire-cut into virtually any desired shape. This allows designers to create contemporary pavé-like surfaces — a concept that inspired the term “Osmavé.” Delicate silhouettes with flowing curves, sharp contours, and intricate details can be realized, creating highly luminous and intensely sparkling surfaces that were previously not achievable with traditional stones or precious metals.
Experienced stone setters can work with osmium using familiar techniques. However, the Osmium-Institute Germany provides complimentary online video training as well as detailed processing guidelines in English.
The Osmium Institute
The Osmium Institute is responsible for the worldwide certification, market introduction and distribution of osmium. It operates within a dedicated ESG-M framework that goes beyond conventional ESG standards, incorporating strict rules on sourcing, processing, and documenting osmium, as well as controlling its route to market.
Due to the nature of its microscopic crystalline surface, osmium cannot be replicated. Each piece has an entirely unique crystal landscape, described as being 10,000 times more precise than a fingerprint, which is recorded and logged in the Osmium database. Every piece of osmium has a unique Osmium Identification Code (OIC), which is linked with high resolution scans, measurement and weight details in the Osmium World Database and protects against fraud or theft. In addition to that, every piece has an Owner Change Code (OCC) which is only known to the owner and enables transparent ownership documentation across the entire lifecycle of the material.
Facts about Osmium
· Osmium, with an atomic number of 76 in the periodic table, is an element that cannot be produced chemically or artificially.
· Osmium is a precious metal and part of the platinum group. While it was discovered in 1804, only the recent development of its crystallization process has made it usable and visually compelling for luxury applications.
· Crystalline osmium has a steel blue colour with a bluish-silvery to bluish-white light reflection that surpasses that of a diamond.
· Unlike diamonds, light does not refract on its crystal surface, resulting in high reflectivity which can lead to a sparkle visible up to 30m with the naked eye.
· Crystalline osmium is many times more valuable than gold and holds the highest value by volume among all precious metals.
· Osmium has the highest density among all precious metals (and all elements).
· Osmium is incredibly durable, strong and highly resistant to abrasion.
· Crystalline osmium boasts a purity of 99.9995% and is entirely harmless to the body and skin as it is chemically stable, non-allergenic and non-reactive.