Zr - Zirconium

(Persian zargun, gold like) The name zircon probably originated from the Persion wordzargun, which describes the color of the gemstone now known as zircon, jargon, hyacinth,jacinth, or ligure. This mineral, or its variations, is mentioned in biblical writings.The mineral was not known to contain a new element until Klaproth, in 1789, analyzed ajargon from from Ceylon and found a new earth, which Werner named zircon (silexcirconius), and Klaproth called Zirkonertz (zirconia). The impure metal was first isolatedby Berzelius in 1824 by heating a mixture of potassium and potassium zirconium fluoride ina small decomposition process they developed.

Zirconium is found in abundance in S-type stars, and has been identified in the sun andmeteorites. Analysis of lunar rock samples obtained during the various Apollo missions tothe moon show a surprisingly high zirconium oxide content, compared with terrestrialrocks.