Cerium is the second member of the Lanthanide series, being located in the first row below the periodic table of elements. It is a gray metal with a melting point of 795 degrees Celsius. It was identified in 1803 by Jons Jacob Berzelius and Wilhelm Hisinger. It is the most common lanthanide present in Earth's crust. If you scrape Cerium on a block, it will self combust. 

It can be used as a red pigment, being safer than the ones obtained from Cadmium and Mercury. It is also used in Ferrocerium for its pyrophoric abilities.