Gadolinium is the eighth 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 1312 degrees Celsius. It was identified in 1880 by Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac. Gadolinium is great at absorbing neutrons. 

Gadolinium is often used in alloys. It is also used in MRI to enhance the imaged that are produced.