Atomic properties
Market data
Raw material sources & pricing
| Raw Material Form | Grade/Quality | Price Paid by Refiners | Major Sources | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lepidolite Concentrate | 1-3.5% Rb₂O | $300-500/MT | Zimbabwe, Canada, China | Primary source, byproduct of Li extraction |
| Pollucite Ore | 1-2% Rb₂O | $15,000-25,000/MT | Canada, Namibia | Byproduct of Cs extraction |
| Carnallite | 0.002-0.02% Rb | $80-120/MT | Germany, Russia, Canada | Very low grade, rarely economic |
| Salt Lake Brines | 10-150 ppm Rb | Variable | China (Qinghai), Chile | Experimental extraction only |
Lepidolite - Primary Source
Current Market Price: $300-500/MT (Li₂O 3.5-5%) Rubidium Content: 0.3-3.5% Rb₂O (typically 1%) Major Deposits: Zimbabwe: Bikita mine - World's largest lepidolite deposit Canada: Tanco mine, Manitoba - High Rb content (3.5% Rb₂O) Namibia: Rubicon and Helikon mines China: Jiangxi Province - Multiple pegmatite deposits 2025 Production: Extracted as byproduct during lithium processing
Pollucite - Secondary Source
Current Market Price: $15,000-25,000/MT (20-30% Cs₂O) Rubidium Content: 1-2% Rb₂O Major Deposits: Canada (Bernic Lake), Namibia, Zimbabwe Raw Material Form Grade/Quality Price Paid by Refiners Major Sources Notes Lepidolite Concentrate 1-3.5% Rb₂O $300-500/MT Zimbabwe, Canada, China Primary source, byproduct of Li extraction Pollucite Ore 1-2% Rb₂O $15,000-25,000/MT Canada, Namibia Byproduct of Cs extraction Carnallite 0.002-0.02% Rb $80-120/MT Germany, Russia, Canada Very low grade, rarely economic Salt Lake Brines 10-150 ppm Rb Variable China (Qinghai), Chile Experimental extraction only
⚠️ Seawater Rubidium Extraction
Commercial Viability: NOT ECONOMICALLY VIABLE Concentration: 0.12 ppm (120 ppb) - extremely low Chemical Form: Rb⁺ (free hydrated ion) Status: No commercial seawater rubidium extraction exists. The low concentration and competition from more concentrated sources make extraction uneconomical. Note: Unlike lithium (0.18 ppm), which is approaching commercial viability from brines, rubidium's lower value and adequate terrestrial sources prevent seawater extraction development.
Production cost analysis
| Cost Component | $/kg Rb Metal | % of Total Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Material (Lepidolite) | $80-150 | 15-20% | 100-300 kg ore per kg Rb |
| Chemical Processing | $200-350 | 35-45% | Acid leaching, precipitation, purification |
| Energy | $50-100 | 10-15% | Mainly heating for evaporation |
| Labor & Overhead | $100-200 | 20-25% | Specialized handling required |
| Packaging & Safety | $50-100 | 10-15% | Argon atmosphere, special containers |
| Total Production Cost | $480-900 | 100% | Compare to selling price: $1,200-1,800/kg |
Commercial forms & specifications
| Product Form | Chemical Formula | Molecular Weight | Typical Purity | Price Range (USD/kg) | Main Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rubidium Metal | Rb | 85.47 g/mol | 99.5-99.95% | $1,200-1,800 | Atomic clocks, research |
| Rubidium Chloride | RbCl | 120.92 g/mol | 99-99.9% | $400-600 | Biomedical research, glass |
| Rubidium Carbonate | Rb₂CO₃ | 230.94 g/mol | 99-99.9% | $500-800 | Special glasses, catalysts |
| Rubidium Nitrate | RbNO₃ | 147.47 g/mol | 99-99.9% | $600-900 | Fireworks, oxidizer |
| Rubidium Hydroxide | RbOH·2H₂O | 138.51 g/mol | 99% | $800-1,200 | Catalyst, chemical synthesis |
| Rubidium Iodide | RbI | 212.37 g/mol | 99-99.9% | $1,000-1,500 | Scintillation crystals |
| Rubidium Formate | RbCHO₂ | 130.49 g/mol | 99% | $1,200-1,800 | Drilling fluids |
| Rubidium-87 Isotope | ⁸⁷Rb | 86.91 g/mol | 95-99% enriched | $15,000-25,000 | Bose-Einstein condensates |
Market demand by product form
| Application | Annual Consumption | % of Market | Growth Rate (CAGR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic Clocks & Frequency Standards | 500-800 kg | 20-25% | 12% |
| Specialty Glass & Fiber Optics | 800-1,200 kg | 30-35% | 8% |
| Medical Imaging (⁸²Rb generators) | 300-500 kg | 12-15% | 10% |
| Research & Development | 400-600 kg | 15-20% | 6% |
| Catalysts & Chemical Synthesis | 200-400 kg | 8-12% | 5% |
| Fireworks & Pyrotechnics | 100-200 kg | 4-6% | 3% |
| Ion Propulsion (Space) | 50-100 kg | 2-3% | 15% |
Market trends
Quantum Computing: Growing demand for ⁸⁷Rb in quantum computing research and Bose-Einstein condensate experiments 5G Infrastructure: Increased need for Rb atomic clocks in telecom base stations Space Applications: Rising interest in Rb for ion propulsion systems in satellites Supply Concentration: 70% of global supply from Chinese lepidolite processing Price Stability: Relatively stable pricing due to limited market and specialized applications Recycling Challenges: Minimal recycling due to small quantities and dispersion in use Strategic Material: Listed as critical material by EU and Japan for high-tech applications
Moles per kilogram
| Product Form | Formula | MW (g/mol) | Moles/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubidium Metal | Rb | 85.47 | 11.70 |
| Rubidium Chloride | RbCl | 120.92 | 8.27 |
| Rubidium Carbonate | Rb₂CO₃ | 230.94 | 4.33 |
| Rubidium Nitrate | RbNO₃ | 147.47 | 6.78 |
| Rubidium Hydroxide (hydrated) | RbOH·2H₂O | 138.51 | 7.22 |
| Rubidium Iodide | RbI | 212.37 | 4.71 |
References
Explore on Amazon
Explore Rubidium-related materials, books, and lab gear on Amazon. Selections are search-based; results refresh on Amazon.
Affiliate disclosure:As an Amazon Associate, nanos earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Coverage notes
The following sections are thin or absent in the source document for this element. They will be filled by enrichment passes (NIST atomic, OSHA/NIOSH safety, USGS / IAI environmental).
- Missing section: Energy Consumption