Zirconium is one of a group of metals which can be highly purified through a process first involving its chemical combining with iodine. The iodide of this metal can then be put in a vacuum with a white hot tungsten wire upon which the vaporized Zr will collect and grow outwards in what looks a lot like "rock candy".

The metal has unfairly acquired an air of cheapness given that its oxide, ZrO2, is the much ridiculed imitation diamonds known as "cubic zirconia" in the jewelry world. Despite this, zirconium demand has exploded over the last twenty years as new applications and lowered manufacturing costs combine to bring its use to broader markets.

This is a highly attractive presentation sample of zirconium metal with an internal label that should last a lifetime with minimal care.