Holmium: historical information

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Holmium was discovered by J. L. Soret and Delafontaine at 1878 in Switzerland. Origin of name: from the Greek word "Holmia" meaning "Sweden". Further information on origin of name and discovery dates

Per Theodor Cleve of Sweden discovered holmium while working on erbia earth (erbium oxide). Holmium oxide (holmia) was present as an impurity in the erbia. The element is named after Cleve's native city. Pure holmia, the yellow oxide, was prepared by Homberg in 1911.

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holmium atomic number