Rare earth · heavy
What is holmium? Uses, supply and price
Holmium (Ho, atomic number 67) is a heavy rare earth used in lasers, magnets and nuclear control, with an oxide price of $70 per kg in 2025, down from $180 in 2022. Among the 15 rare earths with a USGS price, holmium oxide ranks number 7 by 2025 average price.
USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 · reviewed 28 October 2026
Holmium key facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol and atomic number | Ho, 67 |
| Class | Holmium is a heavy rare earth |
| Oxide price, 2025 | $70 per kg, up 4% on 2024 ($67) and 61% below 2022 ($180) |
| US import sources, 2021–24 | Holmium compounds and metals: China 100% |
| Chinese export licence | October 2025 package, suspended for one year |
| Main uses | Lasers, magnets, nuclear control |
Holmium price: oxide, 2021 to 2025
| Year | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD per kg | 140 | 180 | 91 | 67 | 70 |
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 holmium metal; the weekly prices we track are on the rare earth prices page.
How holmium 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 holmium comes from
Supply
US imports of heavy rare earth compounds and metals across seven elements were an estimated 100 tonnes in 2025. Holmium came from China alone in 2021 to 2024 (USGS shipping records).
What holmium is used for
| End use | Detail |
|---|---|
| Lasers | Medical and industrial |
| Magnets and nuclear control | Specialty uses |
Chinese export controls and policy
Licence status: October 2025 package (suspended).
Holmium was in the October 2025 Chinese package that was suspended for one year on 7 November 2025.
See the full export-control timeline, and rare earth stocks for listed companies.
Holmium: frequently asked questions
What is holmium?
Holmium (Ho) is a heavy rare earth used in lasers, magnets and nuclear control, with an oxide price of $70 per kg in 2025, down from $180 in 2022.
What is the price of holmium?
USGS gives a 2025 average of $70 per kg for holmium oxide at 99.5% purity.
Where does the US get holmium?
USGS shipping records show China supplied 100% of US holmium compounds and metals in 2021 to 2024.
Is there a holmium price chart or live price?
We show the USGS annual average for the oxide above. We do not have a supplier reference price for holmium metal. Prices we track weekly are on the rare earth prices page.
Related elements
Sources
Information only, not investment advice. Reviewed 28 October 2026.