Curium is the gift that keeps on giving. The breakup of its atoms form (among others) a small quantity of berkelium-249 which, in turn, decays to californium-249. Previously unthinkable for a private person to own something this far into the actinides row, a handful of atoms of this superexotic element are being born inside this ornamental display each passing minute, and will continue to accumulate for years to come.

Not that you’d want much of it anywhere near you. Californium is horrendously dangerous. Unlike many of the alpha- and beta-emitting radioactive elements we sell, which are trivially easy to shield, californium sheds the worst type of emission: the neutron. A loose neutron is akin to a microscopic cannon ball that can travel straight through concrete walls. Whatever organism is in its path is toast. If you were to admire a pinheaded quantity of californium you would probably regret it soon after. Your very body would become radioactive waste that needed to be encased in a leaded coffin. Fun, eh?

But a handful of atoms needn’t worry you. Wait, that’s a metaphor. Not an actual handful of course.