72*

Element of the day (day 72)
#62) Sm-Samarium-]metal 
Discovered in 1879 by Paul Lecoq de Boisbaudran, France.
Alloyed with cobalt makes powerful permanent magnets. Used in alcohol reagents, lasers, and in the tinting of special infrared absorbing glass, in infrared equipment, headphones and other miniature speakers, catalysts, ceramics, carbon arc lamps and electronics.

Samarium is chiefly obtained from monazite(where it occurs as an impurity), mined in the USA, China, Russia, Australia, and India.