Symbol: Sc
Atomic number: 21 (making it free to purchase and imbibe alcohol in the USA)
Overview: It's taken a while for us to get familiar with Scandium. Though we've known about its metallic form since before the Second World War, mankind only really got to grips with it in the 1970s. As such, one could see Scandium as the marijuana of the elemental universe.
Discovered: While metallic Scandium was first produced in 1937, the element was first detected way back in the 1870s by Lars Fredrik Nilson (who'd later enjoy fame as the drummer in some metal band or another). More impressively, Dmitri Mendeleev (pictured, in playful mood) predicted the existence of Scandium a good year before Nilson's discoveries. To prove this wasn't a fluke, Mendeleev went on to predict the next half-dozen Derby winners.
What it looks like: A silvery-white metal. So, a refreshing change from all those grey metal elements, then...
What it does: Oxidizes in a rather attractive form. Indeed, when exposed to oxygen, Scandium acquires either a yellow or pinkish hue.
What it's used for: Scandium is used in aluminium alloys to restrict excessive grain growth. Which is a good thing, apparently.
You might not know this but: Scandium is the 50th most common element on Earth. Tell that to the chaps down the pub and see how quickly their jaws hit the floor.