Thulium (Tm): Uses, Supply and Investment Guide
Thulium is one of the least abundant rare earths and has a small set of specialist uses. Thulium fiber lasers are used in surgery, and thulium-170 serves as a radiation source in portable X-ray devices.
| Symbol | Tm |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 69 |
| Group | Heavy rare earth (HREE) |
| Magnet rare earth | No |
| Main uses | Surgical lasers; Portable X-ray sources; Research and electronics |
| Main sources | Heavy rare earth ores, mainly ionic adsorption clays in China and Myanmar |
| China export status | October 2025 controls, currently suspended |
| Price data | No public benchmark |
Thulium Price
There is no public benchmark for thulium; it trades in very small volumes.
For the rare earths that do have public price series, see the rare earth price charts, and how rare earth pricing works for why most rare earths have no transparent benchmark.
What Is Thulium Used For?
- Surgical lasers. Thulium fiber lasers are used in urology and other surgical procedures.
- Portable X-ray sources. Thulium-170, made in reactors, provides radiation for portable X-ray equipment.
- Research and electronics. Thulium is used in some specialty ceramics and research applications.
Where Does Thulium Come From?
Thulium is one of the scarcest rare earths in most ores and is separated almost entirely in China in very small quantities.
China export controls on thulium
China announced export controls on this element in October 2025, together with holmium, erbium, thulium, europium and ytterbium, then suspended them. The suspension runs to at least 10 November 2026; the US says it has been extended to 10 January 2027, but China has not published matching text.
How to Invest in Thulium
Thulium has no investable market of its own. It is a minor by-product of heavy rare earth separation.
For broader rare earth exposure, see the rare earth stock watchlist or the rare earth ETF comparison.
Thulium Investment Risks
- Tiny market with almost no price transparency.
- Supply depends on Chinese separation and on the status of suspended export controls.
Thulium FAQ
What is thulium used for?
Thulium is used mainly in thulium fiber lasers for surgery and, as thulium-170, in portable X-ray sources.
Is thulium the rarest rare earth?
Thulium is the least abundant of the naturally occurring rare earths apart from promethium, which barely exists in nature.
Can you invest in thulium?
No, there is no practical way to invest in thulium. It is produced in tiny amounts as a by-product of heavy rare earth separation.
Other Heavy rare earth (HREE) Elements
This page is research, not investment advice. See the disclaimer.