Retrieve Indium (INDIUM) Price Data Over Time with this API

Retrieve Indium (INDIUM) Price Data Over Time with this API
In the rapidly evolving landscape of metal markets, the ability to access real-time and historical price data is crucial for developers and businesses alike. Indium (INDIUM), a lesser-known yet valuable metal, is gaining attention due to its applications in electronics and renewable energy technologies. This blog post will explore how to retrieve historical prices for Indium using the Metals-API, a powerful tool that provides comprehensive data analytics and insights into metal prices.
About Indium (INDIUM)
Indium is a post-transition metal that is primarily used in the electronics industry, particularly in the production of LCD screens and solders. As digital transformation continues to reshape industries, the demand for Indium is expected to rise, driven by technological innovations in electronics and renewable energy. The integration of smart technologies and data analytics in metal markets is revolutionizing how businesses operate, providing them with the insights needed to make informed decisions.
With the Metals-API, developers can harness the power of real-time data to build applications that track Indium prices over time. This capability not only enhances transparency in the metal markets but also empowers businesses to optimize their operations based on accurate and timely information.
API Description
The Metals-API is designed to provide developers with access to a wide range of metal price data, including Indium. This API is built on the principles of innovation and technological advancement, enabling users to retrieve real-time and historical data effortlessly. With its robust architecture, the Metals-API supports various endpoints that cater to different data needs, making it an essential tool for anyone involved in the metal markets.
One of the standout features of the Metals-API is its ability to deliver real-time exchange rate data, updated frequently based on the user's subscription plan. This ensures that developers have access to the most current information, which is vital for making timely decisions in a fast-paced market.
Key Features and Endpoints
The Metals-API offers several key features that enhance its usability and functionality:
- Latest Rates Endpoint: This endpoint provides real-time exchange rate data for Indium and other metals, updated every 60 minutes or more frequently, depending on your subscription plan. This feature is crucial for businesses that need to stay informed about market fluctuations.
- Historical Rates Endpoint: Users can access historical rates for Indium dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, developers can retrieve past prices, allowing for in-depth analysis and trend identification.
- Bid And Ask Endpoint: This feature enables users to obtain real-time bid and ask prices for Indium, providing insights into market liquidity and pricing dynamics.
- Convert Endpoint: The Metals-API includes a currency conversion feature, allowing users to convert amounts from one metal to another or to/from USD. This is particularly useful for businesses operating in multiple currencies.
- Time-Series Endpoint: This endpoint allows users to query daily historical rates between two specified dates, facilitating comprehensive analysis of price trends over time.
- Fluctuation Endpoint: Users can track how Indium prices fluctuate between two dates, providing valuable insights into market volatility and price stability.
- Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: This feature provides detailed price data, including the opening, highest, lowest, and closing prices for Indium over a specified period, enabling users to assess market performance effectively.
- Lowest/Highest Price Endpoint: Users can query the API to find the lowest and highest prices for Indium over a specified date range, which is essential for identifying price extremes.
- Historical LME Endpoint: This endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols, dating back to 2008, allowing for extensive historical analysis.
- API Key: Access to the Metals-API requires an API key, which is passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter. This ensures secure and authorized access to the data.
- API Response: The API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, with all data returned in a structured JSON format, making it easy to integrate into applications.
- Supported Symbols Endpoint: This endpoint provides a constantly updated list of all available metal symbols, including Indium, 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 and trends.
API Endpoint Examples and Responses
Understanding how to interact with the Metals-API is crucial for effective implementation. Below are examples of various API endpoints and their corresponding JSON responses:
Latest Rates Endpoint
To get real-time exchange rates for Indium, you can use the following endpoint:
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1748743515,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-06-01",
"rates": {
"XNI": 0.142857
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
Historical Rates Endpoint
Accessing historical exchange rates for Indium can be done with the following request:
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1748657115,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-05-31",
"rates": {
"XNI": 0.140000
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
Time-Series Endpoint
To retrieve exchange rates for a specific time period, use the time-series endpoint:
{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2025-05-25",
"end_date": "2025-06-01",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2025-05-25": {
"XNI": 0.140000
},
"2025-05-27": {
"XNI": 0.141000
},
"2025-06-01": {
"XNI": 0.142857
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
Convert Endpoint
To convert an amount from USD to Indium, you can use the convert endpoint:
{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XNI",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1748743515,
"rate": 0.142857
},
"result": 142.857,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}
Fluctuation Endpoint
To track rate fluctuations between two dates, the fluctuation endpoint can be utilized:
{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2025-05-25",
"end_date": "2025-06-01",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"XNI": {
"start_rate": 0.140000,
"end_rate": 0.142857,
"change": 0.002857,
"change_pct": 2.04
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
OHLC (Open/High/Low/Close) Endpoint
To get OHLC data for Indium over a specific time period, use the following request:
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1748743515,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-06-01",
"rates": {
"XNI": {
"open": 0.140000,
"high": 0.143000,
"low": 0.139000,
"close": 0.142857
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
Bid/Ask Endpoint
To get the current bid and ask prices for Indium, you can use the bid/ask endpoint:
{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1748743515,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2025-06-01",
"rates": {
"XNI": {
"bid": 0.142000,
"ask": 0.143000,
"spread": 0.001000
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}
Common Developer Questions
As developers begin to integrate the Metals-API into their applications, they often have questions regarding its functionality and best practices. Here are some common inquiries:
How do I authenticate with the Metals-API?
Authentication is done using an API key, which you must include in your requests. This key is unique to your account and ensures secure access to the API.
What are the rate limits for API requests?
Rate limits depend on your subscription plan. It's essential to review the documentation to understand the limits and avoid exceeding them, which could result in temporary access restrictions.
How can I handle errors in API responses?
The Metals-API provides error messages in its responses. It's crucial to implement error handling in your application to manage these responses effectively and ensure a smooth user experience.
Performance Optimization and Scaling
When integrating the Metals-API into your applications, consider performance optimization strategies to ensure efficient data retrieval and processing. Here are some best practices:
- Batch Requests: If your application requires multiple data points, consider batching requests to minimize the number of API calls and reduce latency.
- Data Caching: Implement caching mechanisms to store frequently accessed data. This can significantly reduce the number of API calls and improve response times.
- Asynchronous Processing: Use asynchronous programming techniques to handle API requests without blocking the main application thread, enhancing overall performance.
Security Considerations
Security is paramount when working with APIs. Here are some best practices to ensure secure integration with the Metals-API:
- Keep Your API Key Secure: Never expose your API key in client-side code. Store it securely on your server and use it only in server-side requests.
- Implement Rate Limiting: To prevent abuse, implement rate limiting on your application to control the number of requests made to the Metals-API.
- Monitor API Usage: Regularly monitor your API usage to detect any unusual activity or potential security breaches.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Metals-API is a powerful tool for developers looking to access real-time and historical price data for Indium and other metals. By leveraging its various endpoints, businesses can gain valuable insights into market trends and make informed decisions. The integration of smart technology and data analytics in metal markets is transforming how industries operate, and the Metals-API stands at the forefront of this revolution.
For more information on how to get started with the Metals-API, visit the Metals-API Documentation and explore the comprehensive Metals-API Supported Symbols list. Whether you're building applications for trading, analytics, or market research, the Metals-API provides the tools you need to succeed in the dynamic world of metal markets.