Silicon (Si 14)

Silicon (Si 14) is the main component of the chips that make up the brain of cell phones. Ninety percent of the earth’s crust is made up of silicone in various mineral forms like quartz. According to museum curators, each cell phone contains about 166 mg of silicone, the weight of a postage stamp.

But that is not all, cell phones also contain gold, a metal that does not corrode and conducts electricity well. It is used in various circuits, especially in SIM cards, the unique “signature” of your specific cellphone. Each smart phone contains up to 50 mg of gold, the weight of two grains of rice and worth about $6 in 2025 gold prices.