Zirconium APEX Mineral

Zirconium (Zr #40) is the next element on the periodic table for my APEX mineral collection.   

Wikipedia Zirconium
Zirconium Minerals - There are many Zirconium minerals.

Zircon (ZrSiO4) with 43% Zirconium is the obvious APEX Mineral.

Zirconium is not found in nature as a native metal, reflecting its intrinsic instability with respect to water.  It is a by-product of the mining and processing of the titanium minerals.  Commercial Zirconium metal typically contains 1–2.5% Hafnium which is very difficult to separate.

Zircons were used as precious gems historically.  The element itself was not recognized until the 19th century.

Zirconium is primarily used in high temperature applications.

Zirconium has no known biological role.