Erbium (Er)
Erbium has a long history but was not isolated in reasonably pure form until 1934.
Pure erbium is soft, malleable, and has a bright silver metallic luster. The metal is stable in air and does not oxidize rapidly. In nature, erbium is a mixture of six stable isotopes, though nine radioactive isotopes exist.
Erbium has some nuclear and metallurgical applications. It's used in alloys and its pink oxide has been used as a glass colorant and in porcelain enamel glazes.
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