Rare earth · heavy
What is ytterbium? Uses, supply and price
Ytterbium (Yb, atomic number 70) is a heavy rare earth used in fibre lasers and as an additive in stainless steel, with a steady oxide price of $13 to $15 per kg since 2021. Among the 15 rare earths with a USGS price, ytterbium oxide ranks number 11 by 2025 average price.
USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 · reviewed 28 October 2026
Ytterbium key facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol and atomic number | Yb, 70 |
| Class | Ytterbium is a heavy rare earth |
| Oxide price, 2025 | $15 per kg, up 7% on 2024 ($14) |
| US import sources, 2021–24 | China 86%, Germany 4%, Chile 4%, South Korea 3%, other 3% |
| Chinese export licence | October 2025 package, suspended for one year |
| Main uses | Fibre lasers, stainless-steel additives |
Ytterbium price: oxide, 2021 to 2025
| Year | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025e |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD per kg | 15 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
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 ytterbium metal; the weekly prices we track are on the rare earth prices page.
How ytterbium 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 ytterbium comes from
Supply
Ytterbium compounds and metals imported from Chile, Germany and South Korea were derived from concentrates and chemical intermediates produced elsewhere (USGS).
What ytterbium is used for
| End use | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fibre lasers | Industrial cutting and welding |
| Stainless steel | Additive |
Chinese export controls and policy
Licence status: October 2025 package (suspended).
Ytterbium was in the October 2025 Chinese package suspended for one year on 7 November 2025.
See the full export-control timeline, and rare earth stocks for listed companies.
Ytterbium: frequently asked questions
What is ytterbium?
Ytterbium (Yb) is a heavy rare earth used in fibre lasers and as an additive in stainless steel, with a steady oxide price of $13 to $15 per kg since 2021.
What is the price of ytterbium?
USGS gives a 2025 average of $15 per kg for ytterbium oxide at 99.99% purity.
Where does the US get ytterbium?
China supplied 86% of US ytterbium compounds and metals in 2021 to 2024.
Is there a ytterbium price chart or live price?
We show the USGS annual average for the oxide above. We do not have a supplier reference price for ytterbium metal. Prices we track weekly are on the rare earth prices page.
Related elements
Sources
Information only, not investment advice. Reviewed 28 October 2026.