PRESS RELEASE: The Betts Group Partners with the Osmium Institute to Champion Rare Platinum Group Metal

As a recognised Wholesale Partner, The Betts Group is now the most significant commercial advocate for this ultra-rare metal in the UK market, serving as a go-to for independent brands, designer-makers and manufacturers. 

Birmingham Jewellery Quarter-based precious metal specialist, The Betts Group, has entered a new collaborative partnership with the Osmium Institute, the global organisation responsible for certifying and distributing crystalline osmium.

As an authorised Wholesale Partner, The Betts Group now serves as a bridge between UK-based jewellery professionals and the Osmium Institute, providing streamlined access to crystalline osmium for use in bespoke jewellery design and manufacturing.

Osmium is the scarcest precious metal in the Earth’s crust, being many thousands of times rarer than gold and silver. It is present in trace amounts in platinum ores, meaning it is never mined as a primary resource and is produced solely from existing industrial processes. This ensures osmium extraction creates no additional environmental footprint.

In 2014, an innovative process was developed in Switzerland to purify osmium and transform its structure into a stable, crystalline form that is safe, dense, durable and incredibly reflective. Today, the metal is crystallised into flat discs that can be wire-cut into virtually any desired shape to create an inlay material. Bespoke jewellers can also access ‘osmium diamonds’ — precision-cut round osmium elements that can be used as alternatives to traditional gemstone solitaires.

The Betts Group and the Osmium Institute were drawn together by a shared commitment to responsible mining, sustainability and transparency in precious metal supply chains. The latter operates based on strict rules surrounding the sourcing, processing and documenting of osmium, including recording the unique crystalline ‘fingerprint’ of each piece in a worldwide database. All are individually certified and registered with a unique Osmium Identification Code (OIC), ensuring complete traceability, protection against fraud, and transparent ownership documentation for the entire lifecycle of the material.

The Betts Group will now add osmium to its growing portfolio of responsibly sourced precious metals, including SMO Gold, AgAIN Silver, Fairtrade Gold and Fairmined Gold.

Scarlett Clauss, Vice Director of the Osmium Institute, says: “We deliberately chose The Betts Group as our UK wholesale partner because of its commitment to responsibly sourced precious metals. Osmium’s unique profile — no primary mining, full traceability, and a responsible market structure — aligns perfectly with The Betts Group’s values and long-term vision.”

The Betts Group Managing Director, Charlie Betts, adds: “Crystalline osmium is a scarce precious metal that is really making waves internationally as a decorative material for jewellery design. The Betts Group is proud to partner with the Osmium Institute to introduce this material to our customers and highlight the unique characteristics that make osmium such an interesting character in the platinum group of metals.”

As the global headquarters of the Osmium Institute is in Germany, purchasing osmium through The Betts Group ensures a more straightforward process for UK customers. This includes UK-based invoicing, local VAT charges, and no need to manage imports, customs procedures or international administration.

The Betts Group and the Osmium Institute will spotlight their new partnership at the upcoming Retail Jeweller Festival on March 16-17, complete with neighbouring stands.

More information is available here: bettsmetalsales.com/osmium-precious-metal

To purchase osmium through The Betts Group, please visit buy-osmium.com/shop/BETTS1760.

About The Betts Group

The Betts Group is one of the world’s oldest precious metal businesses, having been established in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter in 1760. We offer a range of specialist services, such as precious metal refining and manufacturing, and provide access to an unrivalled breadth of products, including investment bullion and coins, wedding rings, wrought items, grain and findings, and professional tools. Our in-house manufacturing facilities specialise in segregated refining techniques, bespoke coloured alloy production, and precious metal recovery from a range of waste materials.

As a vocal advocate of responsible sourcing, The Betts Group is the only licenced Fairtrade and Fairmined gold refiner in the UK. We have also pioneered Single Mine Origin (SMO) Gold, which offers luxury brands and retailers a responsible, fully traceable option without a premium price.

Today, we blend traditional and contemporary knowledge to provide outstanding customer service, products and leadership for the precious metals industry. We support manufacturing jewellers, designers, jewellery students and hobbyists by supplying a comprehensive range of bullion and jewellery supplies backed by an experienced and friendly team. Our goal is to protect our industry for future generations whilst driving ever-higher environmental and sustainability standards.

The Betts Group continues to operate from Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and is led by the ninth consecutive generation of the Betts family. We pride ourselves on being custodians of the past and pioneers of the future.

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Image Credits:
Recording the Osmium 'Fingerprint' Courtesy of the Osmium Institute