Name: lutetium
Symbol: Lu
Atomic number: 71
Atomic weight: 174.967 (1) g
Group in periodic table: 3
Group name: Lanthanoid
Period in periodic table: 6
Block in periodic table: d-block
CAS registry ID: 7439-94-3
Pure metal lutetium has been isolated only in recent years and is one of the more difficult to prepare. It can be prepared by the reduction of anhydrous LuCl3 or LuF3 by an alkali or alkaline earth metal.
The metal is silvery white and relatively stable in air. It is a rare earth metal and perhaps the most expensive of all rare elements. It is found in small amounts with all rare earth metals, and is very difficult to separate from other rare elements.