Zirconium

metals · elements · minerals

Shiny and strong. Zirconium is a lustrous greyish-white metal that is ductile (bendy) and malleable (can be shaped), making it perfect for things that need to be both tough and flexible.

From zircon gems. The name zirconium comes from the mineral zircon, which is one of the most important sources of this metal. Zircon itself is a beautiful gemstone that people sometimes use in jewelry.

Doesn't rust away. Zirconium is incredibly corrosion-resistant, which means it doesn't break down or get damaged when exposed to water, air, or harsh chemicals. This makes it super useful for things that need to last a long time.

Discovered fairly recently. Scientists first identified zirconium in 1789, but they didn't get pure amounts until 1824, and it wasn't made in large quantities until 1925. That's pretty modern compared to metals like iron or copper!

Found in many places. While zircon is the main source, zirconium actually appears in over 140 different minerals. Most of the zirconium we get today is created as a side product when people mine for titanium and tin.