Metallic gallium is the primary form for direct investment in physical gallium.
What is Gallium Metal?
Gallium metal is elemental gallium in its pure metallic state, refined to various purity levels. It's the most common trading form and easiest to authenticate.
Physical Characteristics
Appearance
- Silvery-white metallic color
- High reflectivity
- Similar appearance to aluminum or silver
State
- Solid at room temperature (barely - melts at 29.76°C)
- Must be stored in cool conditions
- Can liquefy in warm environments
Density
- 5.906 g/cm³
- Slightly lighter than iron
- 1 kg ingot occupies relatively small volume
Purity Grades
4N (99.99%)
- Industry standard
- Most liquid market
- Best for investors
- Widely traded
5N (99.999%)
- Premium purity
- 30-50% price premium
- Limited demand
- Specialized applications
6N (99.9999%)
- Research grade
- 2-3x price premium
- Very limited trading
- Not recommended for most investors
Storage Considerations
Temperature Control
- Must keep below 30°C to remain solid
- Refrigerated storage recommended
- Special packaging required
- Climate-controlled facilities preferred
Containment
- Sealed containers essential
- Prevent oxidation
- Inert atmosphere storage optimal
- Regular inspection needed
Security
- Vault storage recommended
- Insurance requirements
- Regular audits
- Chain of custody documentation
Investment Advantages
- Authenticity: Easy to verify weight and purity
- Liquidity: Most tradeable form
- History: Long commodity trading history
- Physical: Tangible asset control
Challenges
- Temperature Sensitive: Requires cool storage
- Oxidation Risk: Requires careful handling
- Insurance Costs: Higher due to storage needs
- Minimum Quantities: Typically high minimum orders