A silver metal with a bright luster, Dysprosium is soft, and can be machined without sparking if it is not overheated. Although it is relatively stable in air, it dissolves easily in mineral acids, giving off hydrogen. It should be noted that even small amounts of impurities can greatly affect Dysprosium’s properties. Dysprosium is used in laser materials, nuclear control rods, compact discs, magnetic devices, and as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging.