Definition of the Lutetium Element A silvery-white rare-earth element that is exceptionally difficult to separate from the other rare-earth elements, used in nuclear technology. It is the hardest and the densest of the lanthanides. The Atomic Number of this element is 71 and the Element Symbol is Lu. Origin / Meaning of the name Lutetium The name originates from the Latin word Lutetia from the ancient Latin name for the city of Paris. Facts about the Discovery and History of the Lutetium Element Lutetium was discovered by by French scientist Georges Urbain and Austrian mineralogist Baron Carol Auer von Welsbach in 1907. History of the Periodic Table Check out the brief History of the Periodic Table which details dates and the names of famous scientists and chemists who contributed to the development of the Periodic Table. Occurrence of the Lutetium Element Obtained from gadolinite & xenotime. Abundances of the element in different environments % in Universe 1×10-8% % in Sun 1×10-7% % in Meteorites 2.9×10-6% % in Earth's Crust 0.000056% % in Oceans 1.5×10-11% % in Humans N/A Associated Uses of Lutetium No known uses |