Origin : the element is named after the Swedish town of Ytterby, where the mineral from which it was first isolated was discovered (see Terbium, Yttrium and Ytterbium).
Description :
A soft, silvery metallic element. It finds little use as a metal because it slowly tarnishes in air and is attacked by water. It is employed in the manufacture of special safety glasses for welders and metal workers.
Image :
Erbium is used in producing pink glazes in ceramics. Click here to see larger version of this image.
