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Overview

Holmium occurs in Row 6 of the periodic table. The periodic table is a chart that shows how chemical elements are related to each other. Elements with atomic numbers 58 through 71 are known as the lanthanides. The name comes from the element lanthanum. The lanthanides are also known as rare earth elements. Although lanthanides are not especially rare, they are very difficult to separate from each other.

Holmium was discovered by Swedish chemist Per Teodor Cleve (1840-1905) in 1879. He named the element after his birth-place, Stockholm, Sweden. Holmium occurs with other rare earth elements in minerals such as monazite and gadolinite. It can now be separated from other rare earth elements somewhat easily. But no major uses have been found for it or its compounds.