Scandium, Yttrium, Cerium. Try saying that three times fast. These are three of the 17 soft heavy metals that are essential to life as we know it. Projected to grow to US$9.6 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 12.3%, these heavy metals are well positioned to get you a heavy wallet. While most of us aren’t familiar with the names of rare earth metals, it’s quite likely some of the white lustrous silvery-white heavy metals we’re talking about here are within your reach right now. Rare earth metals are used as components in high technology devices such as smartphones, flat screen televisions, computer monitors, electronic displays. Look a little further and you’ll find them in electric vehicle batteries, and even further afield, missile functions, satellites, wind turbines and jet engines. Just like the devices and products they power, these metals often have no viable substitute. They’re difficult and costly to mine and process, and some are running out, which will push their value even higher. Demand for minerals such as cobalt, neodymium or tungsten is expected to take off and rising prices should follow.