Scandium is a transition metal part of the d electron block of the periodic table and is categorised as a rare earth metal that is only found in ores and not naturally occurring in the earth's crust. It is commonly present in deposits of Uranium and is difficult to extract. It was first discovered in 1879 by Lars Nilson who conducted a spectra of the unknown compound but it was not until 1937 that Fischer and co managed to isolate Scandium from ores. Industrially, the production of pure Scandium is difficult so it is very often produced as Scandium Oxide. Only three mines in the world are known to contain Scandium compounds. Scandium is used in the alloying of metals, commonly with aluminium due to its strength and lightweight. It is located in Group 3 and it has a melting point of 1541°c and a boiling point of 2836°c being a solid metal at room temperature.