Rare earth elements aren’t rare, but they can be rather annoying. A few recent examples:U.S. agency wants to buy scandium oxide from Rio Tinto for defense stockpile — September 22, 2025ReutersReuters G7 weighs price floors for rare earths to counter China’s dominance — September 24, 2025ReutersReuters U.S. magnet start-up targets China’s grip on rare earths — September 23, 2025Financial TimesFinancial Times China tightens grip over rare earth supply quotas — August 22, 2025ReutersWhat Are Rare Earths? This fall, European manufacturers had a small panic attack when China tightened export rules on rare earth elements. Pure Rare Earths are Rare IndeedRare earths comprise a family of 17 metals: scandium, yttrium, and a block of 15 elements called the lanthanides. Meanwhile, researchers in Zurich and Toronto are trying to pull rare earths out of yesterday’s junk laptops.