Gallium Price

Gallium is a chemical element that occurs in the crust of the earth. Although widely distributed, it constitutes only 0.0005 percent of planet earth’s crust. Put differently, the abundance of gallium on the earth’s surface is approximately 16.9 parts per million (ppm), or by weight, it represents about 0.0019 percent of the outer layer of the earth.

 

Quick Overview of Gallium

✔️A brief overview of gallium (Ga)
✔️Discovery of gallium
✔️Production of gallium
How to trade gallium
Factors and circumstances that affect the price of gallium
What is gallium used for?

 

A brief overview of gallium (Ga)

Gallium is considered the thirty-second most abundant element in nature. However, it does not occur as a free element, and neither can it be found in a significant amount in other minerals. Instead, it is found in trace concentrations in various compounds such as zinc ores (like sphalerite), germanium, bauxite (the main ore of aluminium), and germanite.

Gallium is denoted by the atomic symbol ‘Ga’ on the periodic table of elements and listed in group 13 (also referred to as the boron group) as a post-transition metal, together with four other post-transition metals, namely Indium (In), aluminium (Al), thallium (Tl), and nihonium (Nh).

Post-transition metals are located between the transition metals and the metalloids (non-metals) on the periodic table.

Post-transition metals, commonly referred to as other metals or poor metals, have, among others, the following properties:

• High densities.
• They are soft.
• They have lower melting points than transition metals, for example, gold, silver, and copper.
• Lower boiling points than transition metals.

Gallium’s atomic number, also referred to as the nuclear charge number, is 31. This means there are 31 protons present in the nucleus. The number of protons equal the number of electrons in the metal’s nucleus, making it electrically neutral.

(Noteworthy: The atomic number is represented by the letter ‘Z,’ which is an abbreviation of the German word ‘Zahl,’ meaning number.)

Some interesting characteristics of gallium:

• Appearance

The appearance of gallium is described in slightly different ways, such as:

• A silvery-white metal, similar to aluminium (also spelled aluminum).
• Having a beautiful silvery appearance.
• Ultra-pure gallium has a brilliant silvery appearance.
• Elemental gallium is a silvery metal at standard temperature and pressure; in its liquid state it becomes silvery white.
• Very pure gallium is a silvery-blue metal.
• Gallium is a vibrant silver colour in its purest extracted form.
• As a solid, the metal appears blue-grey.

 

• Melting point

Together with three other non-radioactive metals, caesium (also called cesium), rubidium, and mercury, gallium has a melting point at or near normal room temperature. In fact, after caesium and mercury, it is the metal with the lowest melting point – 29.76 degrees Celsius (85.57 degrees Fahrenheit).

Hence, gallium will melt in a person’s hand at a normal human temperature of 37.0 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). When put back, the metal will solidify again.

 

• It is solid at room temperature, but still so soft that it is possible to cut it with a knife.

 

• Gallium liquid expands by 3.10 percent when it solidifies, making it risky to store the metal in glass or metal containers, because the container may break as the gallium solidifies.

 

• It is stable in dry air and bonds easily with other metals.

 

• Boiling point

Its boiling point is quite high – 2 204 degrees Celsius (3 999 degrees Fahrenheit) – giving it one of the largest liquid ranges between melting point (29.76° C) and boiling point (2 204° C) of any metal.

 

• It has a low vapour pressure, even at temperatures as high as about 1 500 degrees Celsius (about 2 700 degrees Fahrenheit).

 

• Liquid gallium metal wets glass and porcelain.

 

• At low temperatures, gallium breaks quite easily. Similar to glass and quartz, it fractures conchoidally, implying it breaks with smooth, curved surfaces that looks like the interior of a seashell.

 

• Gallium can be supercooled without difficulty, meaning it can be cooled down below its freezing point without turning it into a solid.

 

• Density: 5.91 gram per cubic metre.

 

Discovery of gallium

In short, gallium was predicted by the Russian chemist and inventor, Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleyev (also spelled Mendeleev) (1834 – 1907) and discovered by the French chemist, Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran (1838 – 1912).

In 1869, Mendeleyev created a framework for the known elements, serving as the foundation of the modern periodic table of elements. When creating the table of elements, Mendeleyev had left some places vacant. Although, he made some assumptions about the properties of the undiscovered elements.

In 1871, one of the missing elements was named eka-aluminum by Mendeleyev because he knew it would be placed in frame 31 on his periodic table, below aluminum (aluminium) and above indium.

In addition, he predicted several properties of eka-aluminum that were almost consistent with the actual properties of gallium, such as atomic weight, density, and melting point. Mendeleyev also predicted that eka-aluminum would be discovered by using a spectroscope. (A spectroscope, also called a spectrometer, is ‘a piece of equipment that separates light into its colours,’ according to the Cambridge Dictionary.)

In 1875, Mendeleyev’s predictions were confirmed by Lecoq de Boisbaudran when he used spectroscopy and noticed the spectra (two violet lines) of another element when analysing sphalerite, a zinc sulfide mineral. According to Chemistry Explained, ‘spectra (singular: spectrum) are the lines produced when chemical elements are heated. Each element produces its own distinctive set of lines or spectra.’ This makes spectroscopy a reliable method to identify elements.

However, the missing element discovered by Lecoq de Boisbaudran was only present in small quantities. To further his research on Mendeleyev’s eka-aluminum, Lecoq de Boisbaudran was given several tonnes of zinc ore by miners. Subsequently, he was able to produce a few grams of almost pure gallium, isolating gallium metal.

Being a Frenchman, Lecoq de Boisbaudran re-named eka-aluminum, gallia, deriving from the Latin name ‘Gallia,’ describing the region inhabited by the ancient Gauls, including modern-day France and parts of Belgium, northern Italy, and western Germany.

There was also a rumour doing the rounds that Lecoq de Boisbaudran also honoured himself by naming the new element after himself, since Lecoq, which means ‘the rooster,’ translates to ‘Gallus’ in Latin. However, this rumour was denied be gallium’s discoverer in an article in 1877.

 

Production of gallium

It is not economically feasible to mine for the sole extraction of gallium due to the low concentration of gallium in the crust of the earth. Hence, there are no gallium mines.

Commercially, gallium is produced as a by-product of other minerals. It is primarily extracted from bauxite, the main source of aluminium, during the production of aluminium. It is also produced as a by-product from zinc production when it is extracted from sulfidic zinc ores of which sphalerite is the main source.

Gallium is typically extracted from bauxite as part of the Bayer process.

According to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), ‘the average gallium content of bauxite is 50 parts per million.’ USGS estimates that gallium contained in world resources of bauxite exceeds 1 million tonnes and ‘a considerable quantity could be contained in world zinc resources. However, less than 10% of the gallium in bauxite and zinc resources is potentially recoverable.’ (Accentuation by the article writer.)

China is the primary global producer of low-purity gallium, accounting for more than 80 percent of global production. Other global producers include Japan, South Korea, and Russia. Ukraine ceased production in 2019.

China, Japan, Slovakia, and the USA were the major global producers of high-purity refined gallium. According to USGS, the United Kingdom ceased high-purity refined gallium production in 2018. Also, USGS estimated that high-purity refined gallium production in 2025 ‘was to be about 220 000 kilograms, a 5% increase from that of 2019.’

Regarding the recycling of gallium, USGS mentioned that gallium was recovered from new scrap in Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Slovakia, and the United States.

Although, there are concerns about the recycling of gallium. Recycling International reported on 30 November 2025: ‘Currently, gallium and gallium nitride used in the manufacture of LEDs is not recovered when they are recycled.’ Hence, a consortium of six companies and institutions in the United Kingdom (UK) has started a project, named Recovery of Gallium Ionic Liquid (ReGAIL), ‘to find practical methods of recovering gallium when LED lamps are recycled.’

The object of ReGail is to reduce the need for extracting raw gallium and to increase ‘supply chain resilience.’

 

How to trade gallium

Gallium is a rare metal, rarer than gold.

It is also classified as a hard commodity, meaning it is sourced from the crust of the earth.

It is not a type of commodity that is commonly traded.

Investors who are interested in trading gallium should consult a commodity broker, preferably, a regulated, trusted and experienced one.

A commodity broker will advise and assist an investor/trader about the ways available to trade gallium as a commodity.

According to Trading Economics, Gallium Futures are available for trading on the Shanghai Metal Market (SMM). Prices are quoted in CNY/Kg. CNY is the international code for the Chinese currency, the Chinese yuan renminbi.

Simply put, a futures contact enables a trader/investor to purchase gallium as an underlying commodity at a predetermined price at a specified future date.

Another possibility to invest in gallium is to buy shares (stocks) of companies that are involved in the production of gallium, gallium nitride, or gallium arsenide. The names of and information about such companies can also be obtained from commodity brokers.

Furthermore, ETFs (exchange-traded funds) related to gallium are also an option. These types of ETFs track stocks of companies, involved in the production of gallium in some way, as an underlying asset.

 

 

Factors and circumstances that affect the price of gallium

The increasing use of gallium in the electronics industry, wireless communications, and other industries is driving the demand for gallium across the globe.

It is noteworthy that gallium is one of thirty-five elements that the U.S. government classifies as a national security concern, mainly because of China’s dominance in the gallium market. In this regard, Fierce Electronics expressed this specific concern, mentioning: ‘With China so heavily in control, there are growing questions about how U.S.-based chip makers will gain access to the metal in coming years.’

A factor that may affect the supply and price of gallium, is the sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States, the European Union (EU), and other countries for invading Ukraine. Russia is one of the major producers of low-purity gallium in the world.

At the beginning of May 2025, Trading Economics reported that ‘gallium increased 450 CNY/Kg or 19.78% since the beginning of 2025, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity.’

As of May 2, 2025, gallium traded at 2725 CNY/Kg.

As a by-product of other minerals, the production of gallium is determined by the amount of bauxite and sulfide zinc ores (specifically sphalerite) extracted annually. This means that reserves and resources are not applicable for by-products, because they cannot be extracted independently from the main sources.

The website ptable.com explains that ‘the supply potential of a by-product is defined as the amount which is economically extractable from its host materials per year under current market conditions (i.e. technology and price),’ adding, ‘recent estimates put the supply potential of gallium at a minimum of 2,100 t/yr from bauxite, 85 t/yr from sulfidic zinc ores…’

The current supply potential of gallium exceeds the current production of gallium, implying that no persistent shortages are expected in the near future. It is estimated that the minimum supply potential of gallium will not be used completely before 2050. If short-term shortages occur, it will not be due to geological factors.

Rather, installed production capacity may be the main factor affecting the supply of gallium negatively in the future.

 

What is gallium used for?

Worth mentioning, that gallium as part of a plutonium-gallium alloy, has been used in nuclear bombs, forming the first nuclear weapon pits.

The majority of gallium produced is used to manufacture gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN).

• Gallium arsenide (GaAs)

Gallium arsenide is a useful substitute for silicon in the electronics industry. It is a key component of several semi-conductors. For instance, the gallium-arsenide semiconductor compound is utilised in thin-film solar cells, making the solar cells more heat-resistant and light-sensitive than the more common silicon.

GaAs have the ability to produce laser light directly from electricity. Hence, it is used in solar panels, inter alia, in those of NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover.

Its ability to convert electricity to light is used in blue and red LEDs (light-emitting diodes). Gallium arsenide is further used in microwave and infrared circuits, flat screens, traffic light systems, digital cameras, and high-speed wireless devices, to name a few applications.

• Gallium nitride (GaN)

The compound gallium nitride (GaN) is used as a semiconductor in Blu-ray technology, mobile phones, pressure sensors for touch switches, and blue and green LEDs. GaN is processed in each layer of an LED, enabling the diodes to glow in colours.

• Other uses

Gallium’s ability to easily bond with other metals makes it a key part of low-melting alloys.

It is a safe and environmentally-friendly option for high-temperature thermometers, barometers, and cooling and heating devices.

When gallium is painted on glass, brilliant mirrors are created.

Gallium is also applied in various pharmaceuticals. For instance, gallium nitrate is used as an intravenous pharmaceutical to treat hypercalcemia, a disease that can cause the growth of bone tumours. In radiopharmacology, the radioactive isotope Ga-67 is applied as a test to identify inflammation, infection, or cancer in the human body.

 

Note: This article does not constitute investment, financial, or trading advice. Please obtain the advice of a professional and regulated commodity broker before making trading and investment decisions.