Cobalt (pronunciation: KO-bolt) is a hard, lustrous silvery-blue element belonging to the group of transition metals, and it is represented by the chemical symbol Co [1, 2, 3]. It is chemically active and can form many compounds [4]. Since ancient times cobalt compounds have been used to produce blue glass and ceramics.

Context Explanation

The element was first isolated by Swedish chemist George Brandt in 1735. He showed it was the presence of the element cobalt that caused the blue color in glass, not bismuth as previously thought.