Rare earth · heavy
What is gadolinium? Uses, supply and price
Gadolinium (Gd, atomic number 64) is a heavy rare earth used in MRI contrast agents and neutron absorbers, whose oxide price fell from $75 per kg in 2022 to $30 in 2025. Among the 15 rare earths with a USGS price, gadolinium oxide ranks number 9 by 2025 average price.
USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 · reviewed 28 October 2026
Gadolinium key facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol and atomic number | Gd, 64 |
| Class | Gadolinium is a heavy rare earth |
| Oxide price, 2025 | $30 per kg, up 7% on 2024 ($28) and 60% below 2022 ($75) |
| Chinese export licence | Since 4 April 2025 |
| Main uses | MRI contrast agents, neutron absorbers |
Gadolinium price: oxide, 2021 to 2025
| Year | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD per kg | 47 | 75 | 47 | 28 | 30 |
Oxide 99.99%. 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 gadolinium metal; the weekly prices we track are on the rare earth prices page.
How gadolinium 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 gadolinium comes from
Supply
Gadolinium is recovered during rare earth separation. Heavy rare earths are supplied almost entirely through Chinese separation.
What gadolinium is used for
| End use | Detail |
|---|---|
| Medical imaging | MRI contrast agents |
| Nuclear | Neutron absorbers |
Chinese export controls and policy
Licence status: April 2025 list.
Gadolinium metal, oxide, alloys and compounds have needed a Chinese export licence since 4 April 2025.
See the full export-control timeline, and rare earth stocks for listed companies.
Gadolinium: frequently asked questions
What is gadolinium?
Gadolinium (Gd) is a heavy rare earth used in MRI contrast agents and neutron absorbers, whose oxide price fell from $75 per kg in 2022 to $30 in 2025.
What is the price of gadolinium?
USGS gives a 2025 average of $30 per kg for gadolinium oxide at 99.99% purity, down from $75 in 2022.
What is gadolinium used for?
MRI contrast agents and neutron absorbers.
Is there a gadolinium price chart or live price?
We show the USGS annual average for the oxide above. We do not have a supplier reference price for gadolinium metal. Prices we track weekly are on the rare earth prices page.
Related elements
Sources
Information only, not investment advice. Reviewed 28 October 2026.