Erbium is the twelfth member of the Lanthanide series, being located in the first row below the periodic table of elements. It is a silver colored metal with a melting point of 1529 degrees Celsius. It was identified in 1842 by Carl Gustaf Mosander. 

Erbium can be used in lasers and fiber optic cables.  It can also be alloyed with other metals or be used in glass to make it absorb infrared light.