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Holmium

In 1878, the 67^th element, holmium, was discovered independently by scientists from both Uppsala, Sweden and Geneva, Switzerland. Its name was derived from the Latin "Holmia" for Stockholm, where many elements were discovered and isolated.

Holmium is a silvery metal that is quite soft and malleable. Belonging to the Lanthanides, it is one of the less abundant rare earth metals. It is slowly attacked by water and oxygen.

Holmium has specific magnetic properties. For this reason, it is primarily used either as a flux concentrator for high magnetic fields or in alloys for the production of magnets.