Germanium is named after Germany and francium after France but indium is not named after India. The name was instead inspired from spectroscopy where its discoverer analyzed a sample containing this metal gave off an indigo glow, a beautiful color halfway between blue and purple.

While indium is the softest of all air-stable metals it's not true that it can be rolled on your fingertips like play-doh. If a piece is thin enough, say a quarter inch or so, then you could cut it with scissors but you might mess up the scissors instead. It can be compared to soft vinyl plastic.

CAS 7440-74-6