Rare earth magnet and method for manufacturing same

A rare-earth element including a magnet body containing a rare-earth element, and a protective layer formed on a surface of the magnet body. The protective layer may include a first layer covering the magnet body and containing a rare-earth element, and a second layer covering the first layer and containing substantially no rare-earth element. Another protective layer in accordance may include an inner protective layer and an outer protective layer successively from the magnet body side. The outer protective layer is any of an oxide layer, a resin layer, a metal salt layer, and a layer containing an organic-inorganic hybrid compound.