This article explores the rare earths, the chemically similar elements that occupy the f-block of the Periodic Table and the Group III chemical family. The articles shows the locations that certain rare earths were originally found. It also gives details on where the elements can be found currently, as well as major production areas. The cover of the Fall 2015 Hexagon journal (Vol. 106, Issue 3) features the Mountain Pass rare earth ore body in Southern California, which is mentioned in the article on pages 40-45 of the journal. A description of the photo on the cover of the journal can be found on page 38.

This article gives a timeline of research conducted on the rare earths, 17 elements found in the f-block and Group III chemical family of the Periodic Table. It covers discoveries made after the success of Swedish chemist, Carl Gustaf Mosander. The article describes the categorization of the rare earths that took place after Mosander's time, as well as separation techniques that developed.

Article describing Daniel Rutherford's discovery of nitrogen. The article also details the work of other scientists revolving around the discovery of nitrogen.

Article provides information on the history of alkalis, particularly discoveries associated with potassium and sodium. The article also gives information on Humphry Davy, the first person to prepare alkalis in elemental form.

Article describing the discovery of rhenium and technetium by Walter Karl Friedrich Noddack and Ida Eva Noddack-Tacke. Information regarding pertinent locations is included.

Article describing Axel Fredrik Cronstedt and his discovery of nickel. Information regarding pertinent locations is included.

Article describing Joseph Black and his discovery of magnesia and fixed air. The authors toured Edinburgh, Scotland in search of locations important to Black, providing the reader with maps and historical information regarding the sites.

Article describing the discovery of argon, helium, and other inert gases by Lord Rayleigh, Sir William Ramsay, and other collaborators. Ramsay also characterized the noble gases and classified them within the structure of the Periodic Table of Elements.

Article recounting the history of the element Bromine, including its discovery in the salt lagoons of the Montpellier region of France by Antoine-Jérome Balard. Maps of the region and of Balard's birthplace are presented.

Article recounting the history of the element Germanium, including background material on mining in Germany and the isolation of Germanium by Clemens A. Winkler. Tourist information is provided regarding Winkler's laboratory and mines open to the public as museums.

Article describing the career and discoveries of Carl Wilhelm Scheele. Tourist information regarding locations important to Scheele's life are visited and discussed.

Article recounting the discovery of the element Thorium in Norway by Hans Morten Thrane Esmark. Maps and tourist information regarding the area are provided.

Article describing the career and discoveries of Joseph Priestley. Tourist information regarding locations important to Priestley's life are visited and discussed.

Article describing Frederick Soddy's career and research of isotopes. Tourist information is included for areas significant to Soddy's life and work.

Article describing the life and career of Jöns Jakob Berzelius. Tourist information regarding locations significant to his history is included.

Article describing the life and career of Johan Gadolin. Tourist information regarding locations significant to his history is included.

Article describing the discovery of platinum in Russia and the history of ruthenium. Tourist information regarding sites pertinent to this history are included.

Article describing Jedrzej Sniadecki's career and his flawed findings regarding vestium. Tourist information is included for areas significant to Sniadecki's life and work.

Article describing the authors' tour through Riddarhyttan, Sweden, to visit the areas where cerium and cobalt were discovered. Maps and photographs of pertinent locations are located as well as a history of the area and the elements discovered there.

Article describing the how the original vanadium sample was misanalysed and identified as chromium. Includes tourist information regarding Paris, France.

Article describing the discovery of Vanadium and tracing the footsteps of the discoverers.

Article describing the discovery of the element gallium. The authors travel to sites pertinent to the history of gallium, including the home and laboratory of its discoverer and the location from which it was procured.

Article describing the isolation of elemental fluorine. Tourist information is given regarding locations pertinent to the element's history.

Article describing the career of Henry Moseley and his findings regarding atomic numbers. Tourist information is included for areas relevant to Moseley.