Buying rhodium can be worth it for experienced investors seeking high-risk, high-reward opportunities. Its rarity and industrial demand can drive prices up sharply, but extreme volatility and limited market liquidity make it unsuitable for most conservative investors.
When it comes to precious metals, gold is the undisputed classic—valued for centuries as a store of wealth and a symbol of status. However, rhodium, a lesser-known member of the platinum group metals, has recently gained attention for its rarity, industrial demand, and record-breaking price spikes.
Both metals offer unique benefits to investors and industries alike, but they differ significantly in availability, usage, volatility, and investment appeal. In this comparison, we’ll explore the key differences between rhodium and gold to help you understand their roles in today’s financial and industrial landscape.
Table of Contents
- What Is Rhodium?
- Price of Rhodium
- What Is Gold?
- See All 12 Items
What Is Rhodium?
Rhodium is the rarest and most expensive precious metal, found in an estimated quantity of 0.000037 parts per million in the Earth’s crust, compared to gold, which is found at 0.0013 parts per million.
It is one of the so-called platinum group metals (PGM), which are the rarest among precious metals. PGM – platinum, palladium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium, tellurium, and rhodium – share similar chemical characteristics, can often be discovered together in mineral deposits, and may be substituted for each other in applications.
Rhodium and other PGMs have catalytic properties, a high melting point, and resistance to rusting and corrosion. These properties make rhodium good for use in catalytic converters to help eliminate harmful engine emissions.
Price of Rhodium
As of July 10, 2025, rhodium was trading at approximately $185.67 per gram or about $5,775.00 per ounce.
Extremely volatile rhodium prices are driven largely by demand from the automotive industry. However, the metal also sees demand from investors and jewelry production, which uses rhodium plating to give pieces made from white gold a higher sheen.
Several factors influence the price of rhodium, including scarcity, demand, and production. Rhodium is mined only as a byproduct of other metals, such as platinum and nickel ores. About 85% of the world’s rhodium comes from South Africa. The rest comes from Russia, Zimbabwe, Canada, and recycling the metal.
If demand for rhodium in the automotive, electronics, or chemical industries ramps up, the mining industry can’t respond because rhodium isn’t mined directly. This drives up prices. Political instability, labor issues at mines, environmental regulations, economic issues, trade policies, and investor sentiment all contribute to the price of rhodium.
What Is Gold?
Gold’s history stretches back millennia. The lustrous yellow precious metal, now recognized for international monetary exchange, has been a currency and backing for paper currency. It is one of the most malleable and ductile metals, resists corrosion and rust, and is a good conductor of electricity.
Globally, gold is used mostly to make jewelry. However, it is also used in electronics and is mined and turned into gold bars and coins for institutions, investors, and collectors.
Gold is mined on every continent except Antarctica. China is the biggest producer of gold, accounting for about 10% of the world’s gold production. Countries with some of the largest gold-producing mines include the United States, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Russia, and the Dominican Republic.
Price of Gold
Gold traded at $3,313.50 per ounce or $106.53 per gram on July 10, 2025. That’s about $79.14 per gram less than rhodium on the same day.
Civilizations across time and around the globe have considered gold as a store of value and have turned to it in times of economic instability. This view of gold as a haven has led to gold’s relatively stable pricing over time.
While gold prices can be influenced by supply and demand like other commodities, they also respond to many other factors, such as economic conditions, monetary policies, currency valuations, geopolitics, and investor sentiment.
Generally, the value of gold is priced in U.S. dollars, and the value of precious metals and the dollar have an inverse relationship. When the value of the U.S. dollar falls, the price of gold typically increases.
Rhodium vs. Gold: Key Differences
To understand the differences between the rhodium price vs. gold, here’s a comparison of the two precious metals’ properties, availability, investment potential, use in jewelry, and sustainability.
Physical and Chemical Properties
While rhodium is harder, gold is more malleable. Rhodium also has a higher melting temperature and is more resistant to tarnishing or corrosion than gold, making rhodium more suitable for plating surfaces exposed to heat and corrosive environments. Rhodium appears white and cooler, while gold gives off a warmer, yellow appearance.
Rarity and Availability
Rhodium is significantly rarer and less available than gold, which contributes to rhodium’s high price relative to gold. Gold is mined on every continent except Antarctica. There are no commercial mines for rhodium, which is produced as a byproduct of mining other metals.
Investment Potential
Because of its extreme price volatility, rhodium is considered a riskier investment than gold. Gold is typically viewed as a haven with stable pricing. Rhodium provides the opportunity for potentially higher returns, but at significant risk.
Use in Jewelry
Gold is malleable and ductile, and its brilliant yellow appearance has made it a choice for fashioning jewelry for centuries. Rhodium is mostly used as a plating on jewelry. Its hardness and silver color make it a good protective and reflective surface for jewelry made of materials like white gold.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
Gold mining significantly impacts the environment and human health. It can contaminate water and lead to deforestation and loss of biodiversity. Rhodium is a byproduct of mining. However, mining platinum, nickel and copper – metals rhodium can often be found with – can disrupt habitats and pollute the air and water.
Rhodium Price vs. Gold: Which Investment Would You Choose?
Rhodium can potentially generate higher returns as an investment, but at a much higher risk than gold. After reading this rhodium vs. gold price comparison, you know more about the similarities and differences between the two precious metals. This information lets you decide whether rhodium or gold might find a place in your investment portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, rhodium or gold?
Why is rhodium not used in jewelry?
Rhodium is used as a plating to give some jewelry, such as pieces made from white gold, a higher sheen and a protective coating. However, craftspeople don’t create solid rhodium jewelry because the metal is too brittle and expensive.
