Osmium (Os)

Osmium metal ingot - one troy ounce - .9995 bullion - platinum group metal

Osmium belongs to the platinum group metals (PGMs) and is the rarest stable element in the earth's crust and is also the most dense. Its estimated average concentration in the earths crust is 0.05 parts per billion. Worldwide annual production is only 1 or 2  tonnes of osmium compared to 2700 tonnes of gold. It has unique properties that have applications in the medical and electronics industries. Please see the below links for more information. Inscribed on our ingots are the chemical symbol (Os), purity (99.95%), weight (one troy ounce), and a serial number (this number is unique and will vary). On the reverse is our logo. These ingots are nicely polished, though not all are as well polished as the single one pictured. Osmium is very hard and dense and as these ingots are sintered they are prone to have small edge chips and shallow edge peels. This batch in particular has more tiny edge chips than usual we think due to a combination of sintering parameters and a new polishing process that we used for the first time on osmium (we've used it previously on our ruthenium ingots). They thus are shinier than our previous batches but are also a little "chippier", something we'll continue to monitor and adjust going forward. This batch also came out a little heavier than usual with each ingot weighing over 33 grams (the heaviest is 33.98 grams). As always, they demonstrate the subtle characteristic blueish hue of osmium and are incredibly heavy for their size. Like with all of our products, these ingots were manufactured with careful attention to weight and purity, both of which have been checked and rechecked throughout the manufacturing process and are guaranteed by us. The powder form of osmium can be dangerous given the high toxicity of its oxidized state, osmium tetroxide, and the greater surface area of powder for oxidation to occur. The solid ingot form that we sell is relatively safe though the process of sublimation is still at work on our solid ingots though at a much slower rate, but they will still give off tiny amounts of osmium tetroxide over time. We thus suggest you keep them stored in the airtight containers we ship them in and take them out only in a well ventilated area and wash your hands after handling. Please refer to the safety information that will come with your shipment and store your osmium in a safe place away from children who might try to ingest these pretty little ingots.

Please see our previous blog regarding "The Other 3 PGMs":

http://www.rwmmint.com/blogs/news/15027253-the-other-3-pgms-completing-the-6-pack-and-the-late-eltan-cohen

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osmium

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abundance_of_elements_in_Earth%27s_crust

http://www.curiousnotions.com/home/metals.asp

http://www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/statistics/riskList.html

http://www.platinumgroupmetals.net/home/default.aspx

http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/curiosity/topics/10-most-valuable-metals.htm