Samarium is the sixth member of the Lanthanide series, being located in the first row below the periodic table of elements. It is a silvery-white metal with a melting point of 1072 degrees Celsius. It was identified in 1879 by Paul-Emile Lecoq de Boisbaudran. 

Samarium is sometimes used in lasers, lighting, and glass production. It is also sometimes used in magnets although they have been outdated by Neodymium magnets.