Introduction Jadeite Jade, known in Taiwan as “輝玉”, is commonly referred to as “硬玉” or “翡翠” in China. Because gemstone-quality jadeite mainly originates from Myanmar, it is also called “Burmese Jade” in the market. The term “硬玉” (Jadeite) originated from the belief that jadeite is generally harder than “軟玉” (Nephrite). However, Professor Tan Liping of …
Introduction In mineralogy, jade is categorized into nephrite and jadeite. Jade has historically been seen in the West as a medicinal stone believed to treat kidney ailments. In ancient China, however, jade was first used in sacrificial rituals, later becoming a symbol of rank and status cherished by nobles and scholars alike. In folklore, jade …
Introduction Lutetium is a relatively rare chemical element. French scientist Georges Urbain, Austrian mineralogist Carl Auer von Welsbach, and American chemist Charles James independently discovered lutetium in the mineral yttria in 1907. The name “lutetium” derives from the Latin “Lutetia,” the ancient name for Paris. Lutetium is scarce in nature, primarily found alongside other rare …
Introduction Promethium (Pm) is element number 61 in the periodic table, a rare, radioactive element. Promethium is artificially synthesized and cannot be directly found in nature. Its radioactivity and rarity make its study and acquisition challenging. In the 1930s, chemists produced some unstable radioactive elements through nuclear reactions. In 1945, scientists Charles D. Coryell and …
The radiant light of rare elements —— Promethium (Pm) Read More »
Introduction Europium (Eu) is found in most rare-earth minerals, but its separation was difficult, so it wasn’t isolated until the late 1800s. In 1885, William Crookes analyzed the spectra of rare elements and identified some “anomalous” spectral lines, later found to belong to europium. In 1892, Paul-Émile Lecoq de Boisbaudran first discovered europium by observing …
Shining In the Fields of Optics and Medicine ── Europium Read More »
Introduction Dysprosium was first isolated in 1886 by French chemist Paul Émile L. de Boisbaudran while studying erbium oxide in Paris. He named the new element “Dysprosium,” derived from the Greek word Dysprositos (δυσπρόσιτος), meaning “difficult to access,” highlighting its rarity. Dysprosium found in nature consists of seven isotopes: 156Dy, 158Dy, and 160Dy through 164Dy, …
Introduction In 1874, P. T. Cleve demonstrated that didymium was a mixture of at least two elements. It wasn’t until 1885 that C. A. von Welsbach successfully separated it into two new elements, praseodymium and neodymium. Since neodymium was more abundant in didymium than praseodymium, it retained the old name “didymium” with the prefix “neo,” …
Another Indistinguishable Twin – The Green-Emitting “Praseodymium” Read More »
Introduction Neodymium was discovered in 1885 by Austrian chemist C. A. von Welsbach in Vienna. Interestingly, the name “Neodymium” comes from the Greek words “neos” (νέος), meaning “new,” and “didymos” (διδύμος), meaning “twin.” Naturally occurring neodymium consists of seven isotopes: stable isotopes 143Nd, 145Nd, 146Nd, 148Nd, the most common 142Nd, and long-lived primordial radioactive isotopes …
The Famous Twin Rare Earth Element Mystery – The Powerful “Neodymium” Magnet Read More »
Introduction Gadolinium was discovered in 1880 by Jean Charles G. de Marignac and named after gadolinite, the mineral from which it was derived. The mineral itself was named in honor of Finnish chemist J. Gadolin, recognizing his contributions to rare earth research. Like most rare earth elements, gadolinium’s main minerals are monazite and bastnaesite, making …
MRI Contrast Agents Containing Gadolinium: Medical Warnings Issued Read More »
Introduction Samarium was first discovered in 1879 by French chemist Paul-Émile L. de Boisbaudran from the rare earth mineral samarskite, which was itself named in honor of Russian mining engineer Colonel Vasili Samarsky-Bykhovets for his contributions to mineralogy. Samarium has seven naturally occurring isotopes, including stable isotopes 144Sm, 149Sm, 150Sm, 152Sm, and 154Sm, as well …
