Discovered : by Baron von Welsbach in 1885 Isolated in Vienna, Austria Origin : The name is derived from the Greek ‘neos didymos’, meaning new twin. Description : A fairly common but little used silvery metal. It is contained in some alloys for magnets, glass, glazes and lighter flints. Neodymium dust and salts are very irritating to the eyes. Image : Neodymium is used in making purple glass.