The document lists 19 of the most valuable substances in the world, ranging from spices and gems to illegal drugs. Some of the most expensive items include antimatter at $100 trillion per gram, californium-252 at $27 million per gram, and painite, a rare gemstone, at $300,000 per gram. Many of the substances have practical uses like spices, jewelry, fuel, or medical applications, while others are primarily collectibles due to their rarity and beauty.