Rare earth · light
What is cerium? Uses, supply and price
Cerium (Ce, atomic number 58) is the most widely used light rare earth, with the main uses in glass polishing, catalysts and metallurgical alloys, and a price near $1.71 per kg as oxide. Among the 15 rare earths with a USGS price, cerium oxide ranks number 14 by 2025 average price.
USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 · reviewed 28 October 2026
Cerium key facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol and atomic number | Ce, 58 |
| Class | Cerium is a light rare earth |
| Oxide price, 2025 | $1.71 per kg, up 41% on 2024 ($1.21) |
| Related price | Mischmetal $5.62 per kg in 2025 |
| US tariff | Cerium compounds 5.5% ad valorem, a separate line from other rare earth compounds |
| Main uses | Glass polishing, catalysts, glass additives |
Cerium price: oxide, 2021 to 2025
| Year | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD per kg | 1.54 | 1.45 | 1.03 | 1.21 | 1.71 |
Oxide 99.5%. Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 (Argus Media, Asian Metal), dollars per kilogram, FOB. Annual averages, not live prices. We have no supplier reference price for cerium metal; the weekly prices we track are on the rare earth prices page.
How cerium compares with the other rare earths
| Rank | Element | 2025 oxide, USD/kg |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terbium | 1,010 |
| 2 | Lutetium | 888 |
| 3 | Scandium | 640 |
| 4 | Dysprosium | 239 |
| 5 | Praseodymium | 74 |
| 6 | Neodymium | 73 |
| 7 | Holmium | 70 |
| 8 | Erbium | 46 |
| 9 | Gadolinium | 30 |
| 10 | Europium | 27 |
| 11 | Ytterbium | 15 |
| 12 | Yttrium | 9.00 |
| 13 | Samarium | 2.82 |
| 14 | Cerium | 1.71 |
| 15 | Lanthanum | 1.00 |
Forms and purities differ by element (oxide 99.5% to 99.99%; scandium is a range midpoint of the USGS lot-size average). Promethium and thulium have no USGS price.
Where cerium comes from
Co-product of light rare earth ores
Cerium is the most abundant constituent of bastnaesite and monazite concentrates, so it is produced in large volume as a co-product of neodymium and praseodymium. Supply therefore follows magnet-metal demand, not cerium demand.
What cerium is used for
| End use | Detail |
|---|---|
| Glass polishing | Cerium oxide polishing powders |
| Catalysts | Automotive and industrial |
| Glass additives | Glass manufacturing |
| Metallurgy | Ferrocerium (lighter flints) and mischmetal alloys |
Chinese export controls and policy
Licence status: Not listed.
Cerium is not on China's export-licence lists.
See the full export-control timeline, and rare earth stocks for listed companies.
Cerium: frequently asked questions
What is cerium?
Cerium (Ce) is the most widely used light rare earth, with the main uses in glass polishing, catalysts and metallurgical alloys, and a price near $1.71 per kg as oxide.
What is the price of cerium?
USGS gives a 2025 average of $1.71 per kg for cerium oxide at 99.5% purity, up from $1.21 in 2024.
What is cerium used for?
Glass polishing, catalysts, glass additives and metallurgical alloys such as ferrocerium.
Is there a cerium price chart or live price?
We show the USGS annual average for the oxide above. We do not have a supplier reference price for cerium metal. Prices we track weekly are on the rare earth prices page.
Related elements
Sources
Information only, not investment advice. Reviewed 28 October 2026.