Rare earth · heavy
What is lutetium? Uses, supply and price
Lutetium (Lu, atomic number 71) is the heaviest rare earth and one of the most expensive, used in PET scan scintillators and catalysts, with a 2025 oxide price of $888 per kg. Among the 15 rare earths with a USGS price, lutetium oxide ranks number 2 by 2025 average price.
USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 · reviewed 28 October 2026
Lutetium key facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol and atomic number | Lu, 71 |
| Class | Lutetium is a heavy rare earth |
| Oxide price, 2025 | $888 per kg, up 14% on 2024 ($780); second only to terbium oxide ($1,010) among reported prices |
| US import sources, 2021–24 | China 100% (including Hong Kong) |
| Chinese export licence | Since 4 April 2025 |
| Main uses | PET scan scintillators, catalysts |
Lutetium price: oxide, 2021 to 2025
| Year | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD per kg | 811 | 814 | 829 | 780 | 888 |
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 lutetium metal; the weekly prices we track are on the rare earth prices page.
How lutetium 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 lutetium comes from
Supply
An Australian producer announced in October 2025 that it would build a facility in Malaysia to separate heavy rare earths including terbium, dysprosium and lutetium (USGS). Lutetium volumes are small, so the price series reflects thin trade.
What lutetium is used for
| End use | Detail |
|---|---|
| PET scan scintillators | Medical imaging |
| Catalysts | Specialty |
Chinese export controls and policy
Licence status: April 2025 list.
Lutetium 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.
Lutetium: frequently asked questions
What is lutetium?
Lutetium (Lu) is the heaviest rare earth and one of the most expensive, used in PET scan scintillators and catalysts, with a 2025 oxide price of $888 per kg.
What is the price of lutetium?
USGS gives a 2025 average of $888 per kg for lutetium oxide at 99.99% purity, up from $780 in 2024.
What is lutetium used for?
PET scan scintillators and catalysts.
Is there a lutetium price chart or live price?
We show the USGS annual average for the oxide above. We do not have a supplier reference price for lutetium metal. Prices we track weekly are on the rare earth prices page.
Related elements
Sources
Information only, not investment advice. Reviewed 28 October 2026.