Neodymium

Description: Neodymium has a bright silvery metallic luster. It is one of the more reactive rare-earth metals and tarnishes quickly in air, forming an oxide that spalls off and exposes the metal to oxidation. As a result, the metal should be stored in light mineral oil or sealed in a plastic material. Neodymium exists in two allotropic states, with the transition from a double hexagonal to a body-centered cubic structure occurring at 863°C.

Source: Neodymium can be obtained by isolating neodymium salts from other rare earths using ion-exchange or solvent extraction techniques, as well as by reducing anhydrous halides like NdF3 with calcium metal.