The first thing most people think of when they hear the word cobalt is the color blue. While the purified metal is a grey steel color, the salts that include cobalt atoms are many shades of blue.
The element has been used for hundreds of years, but was named in 1735 by a chemist named Brandt. We often mention that you cannot find this element or that element free in nature. While cobalt is found in many minerals, it can be found as a pure element.
As miners have discovered, cobalt is often found in areas with high levels of arsenic (another element in the fourth period/row of the periodic table).
Where else can you find cobalt?
Paints
If you have ever painted a picture or maybe even a wall, you have probably heard about Cobalt Blue. It's a color that has been used for hundreds of years and is dependent on the element cobalt for its color.
Medicines
There is a very important radioactive isotope of cobalt that is used in medicine. It's not too radioactive and doesn't hurt the patient, but it can be used as a tracer element to find things like cancer.
Alloys
Cobalt is a metal. It is used to produce many types of alloys including stainless steel. Transition metals = Used in Alloys
Pottery
Cobalt is used in both glazes and the manufacture of pottery, ceramics, and even the tiles on your roof.
Trace Element
Your body actually needs cobalt to survive. It is one of many trace elements needed in your diet. Cobalt is also used to manufacture vitamin B12.
Meteors
After analysis of meteorites found on Earth, astronomers have discovered that cobalt is one of the many elements found in the meteors traveling trough the universe.