History and Discovery
In 1789, while analyzing the composition of the mineral, Jargon (ZrSiO4), Martin Heinrich Klaproth (who also discovered Uranium and Cerium) came across a new element. Zirconium. In 1824, it was isolated by a Swedish
chemist, Jöns Jacob Berzelius. From the Persian word Zargun, which means gold-like, he named the new element Zirconium. Isolating Zirconium is a difficult process because it's found with deposits of hafnium, which shares similar chemical properties. Today, we use the Kroll Process to separate Hafnium and Zirconium. Both elements are found commonly in zircon (ZrSiO4) and baddeleyite (ZrO2).

​Abundance
The abundance of an elements measures how common the element is compared to other elements in the environment. The abundance of
Zirconium inside the Earth's crust is 65 parts per million by weight, 38
parts per million by moles. Also, in the solar system, 40 parts per billion
by weight, 0.5 parts per billion by moles. You can gather quite a few things
from this. Zirconium is more abundant in the Earth's crust than it is in the solar system. It is a pretty common element, an only costs $16 for a pound
of bulk zirconium. Of course if wanted in pure form, it costs $157 per
​pound.

Zirconium in Industry and Technology (Uses)
​Zircoium is very poor at taking in neutrons, so it is used in the outer layers
​of nuclear energy fuel rods, because it is important neutrons can pass
through easily. It is also used in surgical equipment and steel alloys. Sometimes it is even used to make superconductive magnets. One of it's
​biggest uses, is fake diamonds. Cuba Zirconia (ZrO2) which is zirconium and two oxygens, is a low-cost substitute for a fake diamond. It

Fact: There are over half-million linear feet of zirconium alloy tubing.

Reactivity
Zirconium is highly reactive. It can catch flame in the air, without a flame
source if not fully dry or fully wet. It only takes a pinch of the powder, to
light a bright white flame

​Sources
Gray, Theodore W., and Nick Mann. The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the     Universe. New York: Black Dog & Leventhal, 2009. Print.
"The Element Zirconium." It's Elemental -. Jefferson Lab, n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.
"Zirconium Element Facts." Chemicool. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2015.