A process is described for purifying crude or scrap yttrium metal by first reacting the yttrium with fused MgC1₂and then purifying the magnesium and YC1₃ products by co-distillation. Dissolution and purification are carried out in a single heating step. The purified YC1 ₃is reduced with calcium in the presence of the magnesium to form a Y -Mg intermediate alloy which is processed to yttrium sponge. Further refinement of the metal was obtained employing a salt extraction step and electron beam melting. Yttrium of 99. 9+% purity was obtained from metal of 99. 3% purity.