Bromine’s over-the-top corrosiveness and its mesmerizing beauty makes for irresistible nerd porn. While the collector is content to admire the sample with a sense of awe and respect those whose love for science compels them to, um, experiment will not be able to resist the temptation to dunk their iPhone in it - or at least watch the YouTube of someone else doing it.

Our supplier has provided us with a sample that is absolutely stunning. A glass sphere within the dome holds a little of the deadly blood-red liquid which supersaturates the tiny atmosphere held within to suffuse it in a lovely shade of red. Keep it by your desktop and you’ll find it turns into a distraction as you reach for a frequent shake to watch its droplets slide down the side. How are you going to get any work done?