Iridium

Many are sure that digital money shows the greatest growth in the rate in 2021. But there is one metal that leaves all commodities - and even bitcoin - in the dust this year.

Iridium, one of the rarest precious metals mined as a byproduct of platinum and palladium, is up 131% since early January, far exceeding Bitcoin's 85% gain. The rally sparked last year's supply disruptions and increased demand from display and spark plug manufacturers, according to refinery Heraeus Group.

Since the market is much smaller than that of its better known sister metals, manufacturing problems can have a large impact on prices. Iridium is not listed on the exchange, buyers can only get a limited offer from a number of dealers or contact the producers of this rare metal directly.

The prospect of a shortage of supply also boosted the prices of other platinum group metals. Palladium is about 9% below its all-time high, rhodium hit a record $ 29,800 an ounce this week, and ruthenium climbed to nearly 13-year highs.