How Do We Get It? – Lanthanum. Unveiling Lanthanum: How We Get This Essential Element. Have you ever wondered about the mysterious world of elements and the periodic table? Among the many fascinating elements that make up our universe, lanthanum (La) stands out not just for its rarity but also for its role in various modern technologies. It’s the first element in the lanthanide series of rare earth elements, and today we’re going to explore how we obtain this intriguing element.