Discovered by J. C. Galissard de Marignac at Geneva,
Switzerland. Isolated in 1886 by P. E. Lecoq de Boisbaudran at Paris,
France.
Remarks
Silvery-white metal of rare earth group. Reacts slowly with
oxygen and water, dissolves in acids. Used in magnets, electronics,
neutron radiography, and alloys, with iron for magneto-optic recording
devices.
Diagnostic tests:
There are no simple diagnostic tests to identify gadolinium.
X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy is commonly employed to identify and
analyze members of the Rare-Earth group elements.
References
Emsley, J., 1991; THE ELEMENTS : Sec. Ed.,
Clarendon Press, Oxford, 251 p.
(* - Mineral Name Is Not IMA Approved)
(! - New Dana classification added or changed from Danas New Mineralogy)
(? - IMA Discredited Mineral Species Name)
There are 62 minerals with Gd in the Mineralogy Database.