Gallium exists in multiple forms and purity grades, each suited to different applications and investment purposes.
Gallium Forms
Metallic Gallium
- Elemental gallium in pure metal form
- Most common trading form
- High purity grades available (4N, 5N, 6N)
- Easiest to verify authenticity
- Best for physical investment
Gallium Oxide (Ga₂O₃)
- Oxidized form of gallium
- Lower cost per kilogram
- Specialized semiconductor applications
- Emerging wide-bandgap material
- More specific industrial applications
Gallium Nitride (GaN)
- III-V compound semiconductor
- Critical for power electronics
- High-value material
- Specialized manufacturing requirements
- Less liquid investment market
Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)
- III-V compound semiconductor
- Historical importance in RF and optoelectronics
- Excellent for high-speed applications
- Solar cell material for space
- Mature technology platform
Gallium Phosphide (GaP)
- III-V compound semiconductor
- Lower cost alternative to GaAs
- Limited high-frequency performance
- Niche optoelectronic applications
Purity Grades
Understanding purity is critical for investment:
| Grade | Purity | Typical Use | Price Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4N | 99.99% | Industrial electronics | Baseline |
| 5N | 99.999% | High-reliability applications | +30-50% |
| 6N | 99.9999% | Research & specialized | +150-250% |
4N (99.99%) - Four Nines
- Most common trading grade
- Sufficient for most industrial applications
- Most cost-effective for investors
- Standard specification
5N (99.999%) - Five Nines
- Higher purity level
- Better for sensitive applications
- Premium pricing
- More selective demand
6N (99.9999%) - Six Nines
- Highest commercial purity
- Research and specialized use
- Significantly higher cost
- Limited market volume
Physical Specifications
Ingot Form
- Solid cast ingot
- Standard trading unit (typically 1-5 kg ingots)
- Easier to verify weight and volume
- Best for storage
Powder Form
- Granular gallium material
- Higher surface area
- More difficult to verify
- Less common for investment
Chip or Pellet Form
- Pre-cut material
- Industrial specification
- Easier to use for manufacturing
- Less favorable for long-term storage
Choosing Your Form
For investors:
- Metallic gallium recommended for physical ownership
- 4N purity is optimal balance of cost and marketability
- Ingot form easiest to authenticate and store