Holmium

Holmium is a soft, silvery lanthanide metal. It occurs mixed with other rare-earth elements in minerals such as monazite, so it is separated from them during processing, commonly by ion-exchange methods. Holmium compounds usually contain holmium ions in the +3 oxidation state. The metal has exceptionally strong magnetic properties and is used in parts of powerful magnets; holmium also absorbs neutrons, so it can help control reactions in nuclear reactors. Holmium ions are added to some laser materials and glass, where they provide distinctive optical effects.