neodymium

Neodymium is part of the lanthanide series in the periodic table a soft metal that tarnishes in the air. It was discovered in 1885 and was first commercially used as a glass dye in 1927, but it is now well known for being used in the world's strongest permanent magnets (it can actually take your finger off if you're not careful). However, it has more uses, as my video below will illustrate.

media type="custom" key="8615880" As you can see, neodymium can be used from mischmetal to engines. It never occurs by itself naturally, as it only occurs in ores such as monazite and bastnasite. However, it is dangerous to your health, as it is extremely combustive and explosive, and moderately toxic, but can be used medically, as it acts as a anticoagulant.

Properties:
 * Density: 7.0 g cm-3
 * Melting Point: 1024 °C
 * Boiling Point: 4x103 °C
 * Crystal Structure: Hexagonal
 * Group: Rare Earth, Lanthanide
 * Color: Silvery-White
 * Luster: metallic
 * Found in other rocks, which requires refining to get pure neodymium
 * chemical makeup: Nd (it is a element as well as mineral)
 * Atomic Weight: 144.24

Sources: wikipedia.com chemicool.com periodictable.com