Now, the founders of Metalysis, a small British firm, hope to do much the same with tantalum, titanium and a host of other recherché and expensive metallic elements including neodymium, tungsten and vanadium.

I know a slightly embarrassing amount about this company. It can be used to produce scandium metal and they wanted to know whether this was a good idea: no, sadly not being the answer. The global market for Sc metal (as opposed to oxide) might be 5 kg a year which isn’t going to build anyone’s fortune.

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What annoys in this article is that they do indeed have something potentially very interesting indeed. Just not all the various things the article says they do.

What they’ve got is a quite possibly cheaper way of converting certain metallic oxides into the relevant metals. But that is all they’ve got:

The effect could be profound. Tantalum is an ingredient of the best electronic capacitors. At the moment it is so expensive ($500-2,000 a kilogram) that it is worth using only in things where size and weight matter a lot, such as mobile phones. Drop that price and it could be deployed more widely. Neodymium is used in the magnets of motors in electric cars. Vanadium and tungsten give strength to steel, but at great expense. And the strength, lightness, high melting point and ability to resist corrosion of titanium make it an ideal material for building aircraft parts, supercars and medical implants—but it can cost 50 times as much as steel.

Titanium, I agree. The oxide is very cheap indeed and the metal expensive. So a cheaper way of processing the one into the other would be very welcome indeed.

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Choosing a lamp seems simple. But the number of decisions that go into it can be daunting. "People get confused about sizing, if the style is going to fit the room, if it's going to give off the right amount of light, all the different price points," says Zoe Feldman, a Washington interior designer. All those factors can add up to a stunning space — or one that's significantly lacking. "Without the proper lighting, the space is sort of dead," she says. We asked Feldman and others for their advice on the right lighting styles, shades and hanging heights to bring a room back to life. Though they disagreed on some things, there was at least one rule they all agreed on: To have your home ready for any kind of moment or mood, every light should be on a dimmer.

No dark corners

Have a dark corner but no room for an end table? Try a floor lamp. Besides his own, Rick Singleton, a lighting artist, thinks there are three good types of floor lamps to go with. The first is a torchier on a dimmer. "You get the light that bounces off the ceiling and diffuses around the room," he says. The second is a multi-armed candelabrum with a shade. And the third is a pharmacy lamp, such as Restoration Hardware's 1900s Pharmacy Floor Lamp, good for reading.

Add some glamour

A good chandelier is like a good necklace: ready to transform any outfit or space into something a bit more special. Gale Singer, owner of Circa Lighting, says the Oslo Chandelier is a bestseller because of its glamorous crystal beads yet simple, traditional shape. She suggests hanging chandeliers five feet above the floor in dining rooms, unless the ceiling is especially high.

Classics are classic for a reason

"I just so often think that things are overdone in the lighting category," says longtime Washington designer Frank Babb Randolph. For that reason, he overlooks trendier pieces for classics such as the Tizio Table Lamp, designed by Robert Sapper in 1972, best for task lighting in drawing rooms and home offices.

For the bedroom, Randolph says a swing-arm lamp, such as the classic Hinson, is the go-to choice. "There's nothing like a swing-arm lamp in the bedroom because it gives you the proper lighting at the proper height," he says. Similar lamps can be found in many places, such as the Classic Swing Arm Lamp by Circa Lighting.

Another classic is the Anglepoise Lamp Original 1227 desk lamp. Designed by George Carwardine in 1932, it was rereleased last year by Anglepoise for its 75th anniversary.

Tips for your table

Choosing a table lamp can be trickier than choosing a bedside or task lamp, because there are so many choices. If you're overwhelmed, Interior designer Zoe Feldman suggests a gourd, such as the Porcelain Table Lamp by Garnet Hill. "There's tons of different ceramic gourds that are all sorts of colors," she says, making it easy to find one that complements your color scheme. For shades for any type of lamp, Feldman recommends a basic white linen or paper shade in a drum shape.

"When done in pairs, table lamps can create a nice amount of symmetry," Feldman says. "Especially if you don't have matching end tables." For an edgy modern option, consider the Concrete Cube Mini Lamp by Regina-Andrew Design.

How big should a table lamp be? When debating about size, Feldman says, "Err on the side of bigger rather than smaller." West Elm's Perch Table Lamp would be a good fit for a small end table.

Lighting as art

Lighting can be classic and subtle, but it can also be the perfect finishing piece for a room in need of distinctive art. "Many times in the rooms that are going to be visible to guests, like a powder room or dining room, people will go a little bit over the top and choose statement pieces," says Circa Lighting's Singer. The Large Wire Globe Lantern by the Richmond bloggers of Young House Love is a good eye-catching complement for traditional or modern homes.

For a really funky piece of lighting art — appropriate for a kitchen, rec room or even a teenager's room — try Vintage Marquee Lights, in letters or numbers.

Consider the bulb

Though they're often concealed by shades, don't overlook bulbs: Retro bulbs such as West Elm's Edison are making a comeback just as manufacturers are pushing toward more energy-efficient options.

"Keep in mind that these bulbs are more decorative," says Tina King of Rejuvenation home and lighting store. "They should be used for ambiance, not to light a kitchen where brighter light is needed for your work area." A tungsten bulb such as the 30W Radio-Style Small Tungsten Filament Bulb from Rejuvenation is another option for imitating the glow of candlelight.

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Some men might be M.I.A. when it comes to planning the big day, but they certainly take the time when it comes to choosing the ring that will grace the finger of their betrothed.

Between choosing the stone, cut, setting and metal, the options become endless, and today’s bride wants something unique that is a reflection of her own style and the love between her and her future husband.

“People like things that are kind of unusual and unique,” said Tami Reichert, owner of G & T Reichert’s Fine Jewelry. “We do a lot of custom work. A lot of guys come in with something very specific in mind.”

A gentleman can bring in a photo or drawing of what he wants the ring to look like. Reichert then works with him to create a custom creation that is sure to wow his sweetheart when he is on bended knee. “It’s fun,” said Reichert. “It’s really special for the bride, because it was created by her fiancé, and that’s a pretty priceless thing.”

“A lot of guys like to surprise the girl, and I think that’s a great idea because there’s nothing more amazing than the moment when you’re presented with an engagement ring; it’s just something you’ll never forget your whole life,” she added.

But in the past five years, she’s seen a growing number couples create the ring together, as well. The prospective groom can choose something simple for the proposal, a solitaire with a simple band, and then the couple will design an accompanying band, or remove the stone altogether and incorporate it into the wedding band. “So they’re both involved in it. She still gets to pick out her part, and he still gets to surprise her,” she said.

A popular design is still a halo of small diamonds fit around a princess or round cut stone. “The halo design gives it a bigger look,” she said.

A continuous row of diamonds around the band is also popular because it represents unity, she said.

White gold is still more popular than yellow gold. And platinum is also a favorite, but carries a heftier price tag.

In a new trend, Reichert said she’s seeing more rose gold, which is a softer colored gold. It has a slightly pink hue that compliments white gold or platinum, so that they can be used together for a unique look. “It was popular years and years and years ago. Probably in the early 1900s.”

Vintage styles are still in high demand, she added. Over the course of a lifetime it will maintain its classic appeal.

For those who want something a little more unique than the traditional diamond ring, Reichert said, “Your not just limited to diamonds. The colored stones are popular. Sapphires, aquamarines.” And choosing a stone other than diamond can help save some money.

Former First Lady and style icon Jackie Kennedy sported an engagement ring from President Jack Kennedy with a sizable emerald alongside a diamond of equal size.

Engraving the inside of the band is another way to personalize the ring. Reichert said that dates are a popular choice, as well as little secrets shared between the couple. “I’ll have rings come in many years down the road, and they’ll have engraving inside of them from their grandparents. It’s like a little picture into the past.”

Men’s styles have remained decidedly simple, designed for comfort more than anything else. But some are straying from the traditional yellow gold band. “Durable metals are important,” said Reichert. “We deal with a lot of tungsten and titanium and carbide steel. Those are not only popular because of price point, but because they are a little bit more modern looking.”

Few men care for stones, but bands that combine a couple different metals are becoming a little more popular. A titanium ring with a band of onyx running along the center is an option.

For a man that isn’t used to wearing jewelry, a lightweight titanium ring is a good choice. And with prices starting at $88, he can spend more money on his future wife’s wedding ring.

Reichart said that her customers usually spend about $1,500 to $2,000 on a wedding set. “Everybody has a budget. The three-month rule was put into the public by the diamond promotion service years ago. It’s just whatever the person feels they can afford. We have wedding sets starting at about $500 up to about $10,000.”

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Tungsten ring has added a new cross ring to the growing collection of rings and has added a new cross ring to the popular cross ring collection. The Purity ring is a simple 7mm high polished dome ring with a comfort design. The Purity has a single cross design on the surface that is beautiful and understated allowing the ring to be worn by men and women. The ring was initially manufactured after several customers were requesting a simple ring to use as a confirmation or religious ceremony gift. The ring comes in sizes 5-15 to accommodate virtually every age.

The tungsten ring, LLC added the ring to the growing cross ring collection. Along with the cross ring collection the website is also home to a popular Celtic ring collection, unique inlays found no where else and a full line of classic wedding band styles for men and women.

Purchase with confidence when choosing tungsten carbide. The metal is an 8 on the Moh’s Hardess Scale which is just below a diamond. Tungsten is virtually scratch resistant in the polished form and priced much lower to more precious metals such as gold and platinum. We also offers a Guarantee with each purchase for no additional fee so customers will feel secure with their ring purchase.

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