Osmium is an investment and jewellery metal. It is traded exclusively in its crystalline form, since all other forms such as raw osmium as a sponge form a toxic oxide. Osmium in its crystalline form is not only stable but is also considered to be the noblest of precious metals, as it cannot be attacked by substances that dissolve other precious metals.
It has outstanding properties that make it special. The emerging market has to be educated about osmium. This task is performed by the OSMIUM World Council.
The international market for crystalline osmium is subject to special regulations, some of which differ from the traditional structure known from silver, gold and platinum.
The precious metal has different nicknames, such as "The Next Generation Metal" or "The Sunshine Element" and many other names that have emerged in recent years and can be found in publications.
Osmium, being introduced to the market, first undergoes a certification process at the "Osmium Insitut für Inverkehrbringung und Zertifizierung von Osmium GmbH" in Germany.
The international distribution is carried out by a group of osmium institutes, which each import osmium into their country and then trade it via a wholesale partner structure.
Osmium institutes are privately organized and are not subject to state control. Each institute is economically independent and autonomous.