Retrieve Aluminum China Spot (ALU-CH) Historical Prices with this API

Introduction

In the ever-evolving landscape of financial markets, the demand for real-time and historical data on commodities like gold (XAU) has surged. The ability to retrieve historical prices for aluminum and other metals is crucial for developers and analysts alike. With the Metals-API, users can access a wealth of information, including the historical prices of aluminum in China (ALU-CH) and other metals. This blog post will delve into the capabilities of the Metals-API, focusing on how to effectively retrieve and utilize historical prices for aluminum and gold, while exploring the transformative potential of real-time metals data.

Understanding Aluminum and Its Market Dynamics

Aluminum is a versatile metal widely used in various industries, from aerospace to construction. Its lightweight properties and resistance to corrosion make it an ideal choice for manufacturers. As the market for aluminum continues to grow, driven by technological advancements and digital transformation, the need for accurate and timely data becomes paramount. The Metals-API provides developers with the tools necessary to integrate this data into their applications, enabling smarter decision-making and enhanced analytics.

Digital Transformation in Metal Markets

The digital transformation of metal markets has led to increased efficiency and transparency. By leveraging APIs like Metals-API, developers can access real-time data that empowers them to create applications that analyze market trends, forecast prices, and optimize supply chains. This transformation is not just about data retrieval; it's about harnessing insights that can drive strategic decisions.

Technological Innovation and Advancement

Technological advancements in data analytics and smart technology integration have revolutionized how businesses operate within the metals market. The Metals-API stands at the forefront of this innovation, offering a robust platform for retrieving historical and real-time data. This API allows developers to build applications that can track price fluctuations, analyze trends, and provide insights into market dynamics.

API Capabilities and Features

The Metals-API is designed to cater to the needs of developers seeking to integrate metals data into their applications. With a variety of endpoints, the API provides access to real-time exchange rates, historical data, and much more. Below, we explore the key features and endpoints of the Metals-API.

Latest Rates Endpoint

The Latest Rates Endpoint is a powerful feature that provides real-time exchange rate data for metals. Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint can return updates every 60 minutes, every 10 minutes, or even more frequently. This allows developers to access the most current prices for metals like aluminum and gold, facilitating timely decision-making.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1777853864,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-05-04",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000482,
"XAL": 0.434783
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical Rates Endpoint

The Historical Rates Endpoint allows users to access historical exchange rates for metals dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, developers can retrieve historical prices, enabling them to analyze trends over time. This feature is particularly useful for market analysts and traders who need to understand past market behavior.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1777767464,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-05-03",
"rates": {
"XAU": 0.000485,
"XAL": 0.434000
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Bid and Ask Endpoint

The Bid and Ask Endpoint is another valuable feature of the Metals-API. It provides real-time bid and ask prices for metals, allowing developers to understand market sentiment and make informed trading decisions. This endpoint is crucial for those looking to engage in trading activities, as it provides insights into the current market conditions.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1777853864,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-05-04",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"bid": 0.000481,
"ask": 0.000483,
"spread": 2.0e-6
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Convert Endpoint

The Convert Endpoint allows users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD. This feature is particularly useful for developers who need to perform currency conversions within their applications. By providing a straightforward way to convert values, this endpoint enhances the usability of the Metals-API.

{
"success": true,
"query": {
"from": "USD",
"to": "XAU",
"amount": 1000
},
"info": {
"timestamp": 1777853864,
"rate": 0.000482
},
"result": 0.482,
"unit": "troy ounces"
}

Time-Series Endpoint

The Time-Series Endpoint allows users to query the API for daily historical rates between two specified dates. This feature is invaluable for analysts looking to study price movements over a defined period. By understanding how prices have fluctuated, developers can create more accurate forecasts and analyses.

{
"success": true,
"timeseries": true,
"start_date": "2026-04-27",
"end_date": "2026-05-04",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"2026-04-27": {
"XAU": 0.000485
},
"2026-05-04": {
"XAU": 0.000482
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Fluctuation Endpoint

The Fluctuation Endpoint provides insights into how metal prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis. By tracking rate changes between two dates, developers can gain a deeper understanding of market volatility. This information is crucial for risk management and strategic planning.

{
"success": true,
"fluctuation": true,
"start_date": "2026-04-27",
"end_date": "2026-05-04",
"base": "USD",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"start_rate": 0.000485,
"end_rate": 0.000482,
"change": -3.0e-6,
"change_pct": -0.62
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint

The OHLC Price Endpoint allows users to retrieve open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period. This data is essential for traders who rely on candlestick charts and other technical analysis tools. By understanding the price movements within a given timeframe, traders can make more informed decisions.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1777853864,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-05-04",
"rates": {
"XAU": {
"open": 0.000485,
"high": 0.000487,
"low": 0.000481,
"close": 0.000482
}
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Historical LME Endpoint

The Historical LME Endpoint provides access to historical rates for LME symbols, dating back to 2008. This endpoint is particularly useful for users interested in the London Metal Exchange prices, allowing for comprehensive market analysis and historical comparisons.

{
"success": true,
"timestamp": 1777767464,
"base": "USD",
"date": "2026-05-03",
"rates": {
"XAL": 0.434000
},
"unit": "per troy ounce"
}

Authentication and Security

To access the Metals-API, developers must use an API key, which is passed into the API base URL's access_key parameter. This key is unique to each user and is essential for authenticating requests. Security best practices should be followed to protect this key, including not exposing it in client-side code and using server-side requests whenever possible.

Performance Optimization and Rate Limiting

The Metals-API has rate limiting in place to ensure fair usage and optimal performance. Developers should be aware of their subscription plan's limits and implement caching strategies to reduce the number of API calls. This can significantly improve application performance and reduce costs associated with excessive API usage.

Common Pitfalls and Troubleshooting

When working with the Metals-API, developers may encounter common issues such as incorrect API key usage, exceeding rate limits, or malformed requests. To troubleshoot these issues, it is essential to check the API documentation for proper usage guidelines and ensure that all parameters are correctly formatted. Additionally, implementing error handling in your application can help manage unexpected responses gracefully.

Conclusion

The Metals-API offers a comprehensive solution for developers seeking to access historical prices and real-time data for metals like aluminum and gold. By leveraging its various endpoints, users can gain valuable insights into market trends, optimize trading strategies, and enhance their applications with accurate data. As the digital transformation of metal markets continues, APIs like Metals-API will play a crucial role in shaping the future of financial analytics.

For more information on how to get started, refer to the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols for a complete list of available metals. Embrace the power of real-time data and transform your applications today!