On our first anniversary of this “Domes” section we introduce a true exotic: crystallized lithium metal. If we can be allowed a small measure of immodesty we’d pat ourselves on the back for being the first company to introduce crystals of this metal to the general public. Indeed, while it’s likely to have been made and sold in small quantities by university labs as study samples we’re confident these presentation domes are the first of their kind outside of academia. In fact, Google has at present not so much as one single image showing lithium metal crystals because, really, who among the general populace could give two rips?

Long before lithium became a household word for its ability to keep our gadgets working on the go, it was widely synonymized with mental health as pills containing lithium carbonate tend to even out one’s moods; proving an essential medical tool for treating a number of psychological disorders.

Anyway, lithium is a supremely delicate metal both for its softness and its extreme sensitivity to most other elements. In addition to rapidly oxidizing in air because of oxygen it reacts also with nitrogen which is generally regarded as near inert at low temperatures. Lithium reacts even with glass though the reaction, thankfully, takes place at temperatures well above what could mar one of these samples even on a hot summer’s day.