The original discoverer of this element suggested a conventional name for his find but later scientists opted instead for vanadium after Viking gods because, let’s admit it, that’s just way cooler. Although they knew it was hiding in there, under various colorful minerals, none of them actually ever saw the metal. It took decades of work to find a way to tease it apart to shine on its own. And keeping vanadium in its pure state does take some effort as it is a rather delicate with a high affinity for chemical combination with basically ever other element out there. Paradoxically, it is often alloyed with other metals to increase resistance to corrosion.

Under ideal conditions pure vanadium crystals form into little metal Christmas trees, complete with colorful highlights of holiday cheer to grace your collection.