Hafnium is invariably found in zirconium ores, and the separation is difficult. The hafnium is removed from the zirconium used in the nuclear power industry. The image above is a virtual representation of zirconium metal calculated by Patrick Callet using the complex diectric function of the element only. Zirconium is found in S-type stars, and has been identified in the sun and meteorites. Analyses of lunar rock samples show a surprisingly high zirconium oxide content as compared with terrestrial rocks.
Isolation Here is a brief summary of the isolation of zirconium.
Zirconium is available from commercial sources so preparation in the laboratory is not normally required. In industry, reduction of ores with carbon is not a useful option as intractable carbides are produced. Finally ZrCl 4 is reduced to metallic zirconium by reduction with magnesium, Mg. Air is excluded so as to prevent contamination of the product with oxygen or nitrogen. This can be melted under helium by electrical heating.