Rare earth elements are metals in the periodic table that exhibit certain properties that make them unique for specific applications. Their "unique characteristics allow them to enhance the performance of other metals and, in most cases, result in a reduction of the amount of metal necessary for an application, allowing things to be smaller and lighter," according to Rare Earth Resources. "They are used in everyday technologies like cellphones and computers. They are also used in advanced medical technologies like MRIs, laser scalpels and even some cancer drugs. In defense applications, they are used in satellite communications, guidance systems, and aircraft structures. With rare earths, a little goes a long way. The amount of rare earths used in high-tech equipment is small but almost always critical to the unit's performance. For example, a smartphone uses seven rare earths — for everything from its colored screen, to its speakers, to the miniaturization of the phone's circuitry."

According to ThoughtCo.com, rare earth metals are:

Scandium: Use to make light alloys for the aerospace industry, as a radioactive tracer, and in lamps

Yttrium: Used in yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) lasers, as a red phosphor, in superconductors, in fluorescent tubes, in LEDs, and as a cancer treatment

Lanthanum: Use to make high refractive index glass, camera lenses, and catalysts

Cerium: Use to impart a yellow color to glass, as a catalyst, as a polishing powder, and to make flints

Praseodymium: Used in lasers, arc lighting, magnets, flint steel, and as a glass colorant

Neodymium: Used to impart violet color to glass and ceramics, in lasers, magnets, capacitors, and electric motors

Promethium: Used in luminous paint and nuclear batteries

Samarium: Used in lasers, rare earth magnets, masers, nuclear reactor control rods

Europium: Used to prepare red and blue phosphors, in lasers, in fluorescent lamps, and as an NMR relaxant

Gadolinium: Used in lasers, x-ray tubes, computer…

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