Discovered : 1886 by P.E. Lecoq de Boisbaudran Isolated in Paris, France Origin : The name is derived from the Greek 'dysprositos', meaning hard to get. Description : A silvery metallic element. Some is used for making alloys for magnets, but as a pure metal it is useless because it reacts rapidly with water and air. Image : Dysprosium is used in nuclear reactors.