 Discovery Information |
| Who:
J.L. Soret
|
| When: 1878 |
| Where: Switzerland |
|
| Name Origin |
| From Holmia, the Latin name for Stockholm. |
|
| Sources |
| Occurs in gadolinite, monazie and other rare-earth minerals. |
|
| Uses |
| As control-rods for nuclear reactors because it readily absorbs neutrons. Forms highly magnetic compounds when combined with yttrium. Holmium oxide is used as a yellow glass coloring. |
|
| Notes |
| The element, as with other
rare earth elements
, appears to have a low acute toxic rating. Holmium plays no biological role in humans but may be able to stimulate metabolism. |
