Fetching historical Iridium (IRD) prices using this API for research purposes

Fetching Historical Iridium (IRD) Prices Using This API for Research Purposes

In the rapidly evolving landscape of metal markets, the ability to access and analyze historical data is crucial for researchers, developers, and financial analysts. Iridium (IRD), a precious metal known for its rarity and unique properties, is gaining attention in various industries, including electronics and automotive. This blog post explores the significance of Iridium, its markets, and how the Metals-API can be utilized to fetch historical prices and other valuable data for research purposes.

About Iridium (IRD)

Iridium is one of the rarest elements on Earth, often found in meteorites and as a byproduct of nickel and platinum mining. Its high melting point and resistance to corrosion make it an essential material in various applications, including spark plugs, electrical contacts, and even in the production of high-performance alloys. As industries continue to innovate and seek materials that enhance performance and durability, the demand for Iridium is expected to rise.

The digital transformation in metal markets has opened up new avenues for data analytics and insights. With the integration of smart technology, stakeholders can now leverage real-time data to make informed decisions. The Metals-API plays a pivotal role in this transformation by providing developers with the tools necessary to access and analyze metal prices, including Iridium.

API Description

The Metals-API is a powerful tool that offers real-time and historical data for various metals, including Iridium. This API empowers developers to build next-generation applications that can analyze market trends, track price fluctuations, and provide valuable insights into the metal markets. By utilizing the Metals-API, researchers can access a wealth of information that can enhance their studies and analyses.

For detailed information on how to implement the API, you can refer to the Metals-API Documentation. This resource provides comprehensive guidance on the API's capabilities, endpoints, and usage examples.

Key Features and Endpoints

The Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints that cater to different needs. Here are some of the key features:

• Latest Rates Endpoint: Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint returns real-time exchange rate data updated every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This feature is crucial for developers looking to implement real-time pricing in their applications.
• Historical Rates Endpoint: Historical rates are available for most currencies dating back to 2019. Researchers can query the Metals-API for historical rates by appending a specific date, allowing for in-depth analysis of price trends over time.
• Bid and Ask Endpoint: This powerful feature enables users to retrieve real-time Bid and Ask prices for metals, providing insights into market liquidity and pricing dynamics.
• Convert Endpoint: The API includes a currency conversion endpoint, allowing users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature is particularly useful for financial analysts who need to assess the value of metals in different currencies.
• Time-Series Endpoint: Users can query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of their choice. This endpoint is essential for researchers looking to analyze trends over specific periods.
• Fluctuation Endpoint: This endpoint provides information about how currencies fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, offering insights into market volatility.
• Carat Endpoint: Users can retrieve information about Gold rates by Carat, which is particularly useful for jewelers and investors in the gold market.
• Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: This endpoint allows users to query the API to get the lowest and highest price for a specified date, aiding in market analysis.
• Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: Users can obtain OHLC data for a specific time period, which is vital for technical analysis in trading.
• Historical LME Endpoint: This endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols, dating back to 2008, making it a valuable resource for long-term market analysis.
• API Key: Your API Key is a unique identifier that must be included in the API requests to authenticate and authorize access.
• API Response: The Metals-API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, ensuring consistency in data interpretation.
• Available Endpoints: The API offers a total of 14 endpoints, each providing distinct functionalities tailored to various user needs.
• Supported Symbols Endpoint: This endpoint returns a constantly updated list of all available currencies, ensuring users have access to the latest information.
• News Endpoint: Users can retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping them informed about market developments.

List of Symbols

The Metals-API provides access to a comprehensive range of metal symbols. For a complete list of all supported symbols and their specifications, refer to the Metals-API Supported Symbols page.

API Endpoint Examples and Responses

Understanding the API responses is crucial for effective implementation. Below are examples of various endpoints and their corresponding JSON responses:

Latest Rates Endpoint

Get real-time exchange rates for all available metals.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1764720145,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-12-03",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912,
"XPD": 0.000744,
"XCU": 0.294118,
"XAL": 0.434783,
"XNI": 0.142857,
"XZN": 0.344828
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

Access historical exchange rates for any date since 1999.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1764633745,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-12-02",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915,
"XPD": 0.000748
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Time-series Endpoint

Get exchange rates for a specific time period.

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2025-11-26",
"end_date": "2025-12-03",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2025-11-26": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAG": 0.03825,
"XPT": 0.000915
},
"2025-11-28": {
"XAU": 0.000483,
"XAG": 0.0382,
"XPT": 0.000913
},
"2025-12-03": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAG": 0.03815,
"XPT": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

Convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD.

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1764720145,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

Track rate fluctuations between two dates.

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2025-11-26",
"end_date": "2025-12-03",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"start_rate": 0.000485,
"end_rate": 0.000482,
"change": -3.0e-6,
"change_pct": -0.62
},
"XAG": {
"start_rate": 0.03825,
"end_rate": 0.03815,
"change": -0.0001,
"change_pct": -0.26
},
"XPT": {
"start_rate": 0.000915,
"end_rate": 0.000912,
"change": -3.0e-6,
"change_pct": -0.33
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

OHLC (Open/High/Low/Close) Endpoint

Get OHLC data for a specific time period.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1764720145,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-12-03",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"open": 0.000485,
"high": 0.000487,
"low": 0.000481,
"close": 0.000482
},
"XAG": {
"open": 0.03825,
"high": 0.0383,
"low": 0.0381,
"close": 0.03815
},
"XPT": {
"open": 0.000915,
"high": 0.000918,
"low": 0.00091,
"close": 0.000912
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid/Ask Endpoint

Get current bid and ask prices for metals.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1764720145,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-12-03",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"bid": 0.000481,
"ask": 0.000483,
"spread": 2.0e-6
},
"XAG": {
"bid": 0.0381,
"ask": 0.0382,
"spread": 0.0001
},
"XPT": {
"bid": 0.000911,
"ask": 0.000913,
"spread": 2.0e-6
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Conclusion

The Metals-API provides a robust framework for accessing historical and real-time data on Iridium and other metals. By leveraging this API, researchers and developers can gain valuable insights into market trends, price fluctuations, and the overall dynamics of the metal markets. The ability to access comprehensive data through various endpoints allows for advanced analytics and informed decision-making.

For those looking to dive deeper into the world of metals, the Metals-API Documentation is an invaluable resource. It offers detailed explanations of each endpoint, usage examples, and best practices for implementation. Additionally, the Metals-API Supported Symbols page provides a comprehensive list of available metals, ensuring users have access to the latest information.

As the demand for Iridium continues to grow, staying informed and utilizing advanced data analytics will be key to success in this evolving market. The Metals-API stands as a powerful ally in this journey, enabling users to harness the full potential of metal market data.