Hands down our most sought after bar is this rare member of the precious metals family. There are no ruthenium mines in the world. The metal is instead recovered as a byproduct of platinum ore refining where it is hurried into the eagerly waiting hands of various industrial applications due to its importance as a catalyst. The jewelry world adds a secondary demand stream for its ability to strengthen platinum without cheapening it, and as an attractive coating for novelty coins. But despite some abortive attempts by bullion mints no ruthenium ounce bars have yet to reach mass production. It’s not for lack of want. The metal is just devilishly difficult to work with. It can be melted, with great difficulty, but refuses to be cast and is much too stiff and brittle to shape using standard metallurgical processes.

While we’re far from reaching “mass production” at least we do finally have a few proper stamped bars of pure ruthenium. Well, when they’re not sold out anyway.