This Is Getting Rediculous.

For those of you that think Copper bullion is silly, I present you Zirconium! The premiums are absolutely ridiculous. This bar isn't even .999 pure. What are your opinions on this? Have any of you even heard of this element?
http://www.providentmetals.com/walking-liberty-1-pound-zirconium-bar-992-fine.html

 

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"Hazards: A suspected carcinogen. Not permitted in cosmetics (FDA). Flammable and explosive as dust or powder, and in form of borings, shavings, etc." Answers.com says "In a powder form the element is an extreme fire and explosive hazard; it may spontaniously combust at any givin {sic} time but is much more likely to explode in warmer tempratures.(note: this element will burn under water)"

Like Mercury or Osmium, it's unwise for noobs to 'just buy' something they really don't understand or 'need.'
http://www.espimetals.com/index.php/online-catalog/472-zirconium-zr
http://www.americanelements.com/zrmi.html

 

There goes my periodic table type set dream!

Meh, containing and stamping 1oz of the .9999 pure gasses was gonna be a pain anyway...

 

So true. So what's the volume of an ounce of helium anyway??

 

Do Want!

Except for the carcinogen part, you might just be the world's best zirconium salesman!

 

I actually saw this yesterday browsing PM sites. It does look and sound incredibly stupid. Companies are just putting all kinds of metals into bars and calling it bullion.

 

It goes well with rhodium sponge.

 

You can't refine it to .999 due to the Hafnium normally in the ore. However the zirconium used in cladding nuclear fuel rods have the hafnium removed and is of the highest purity. I hope that is not where these are from In a bar form it really would be of a low toxicity and ignition risk. It is only when it has a large surface/volume ratio in oxygen presence that ignition is a risk. It is more commonly in nature as a oxide, and found in Zircons ( natural gemstone) and Cubic Zirconium ( man made gemstones). The oxide is used as an abrasive ( best for quartz or glass).

I would have no trouble having a manufactured bar like that around, except it is overpriced and certainly not rare in nature. IMO.

 

"Zirconium metal is sold in three basic forms—powder, sponge, and crystal bar."
What exactly is the difference between "powder" and "sponge"? (I presume both in Zr flammable.)

Also, scottishmoney -
Rhodium is now available in fine ingot form:
http://www.goldeneaglecoin.com/other_metals/item/Rhodium_Bars:_Baird_Mint_One_Ounce_Rhodium_Bar

 

Avogadro's number and the gas laws ( temp and pressure) will get you the answer

 

Well, so will magnesium. In powder form, lots of metals have different personalities -- you can prepare aluminum, iron, titanium, even nickel in such a way that they'll burst into flames on exposure to air.

Zirconium is actually safer than most metals -- relatively non-toxic, resists corrosion, doesn't burn unless it's really hot or really finely divided.

Lousy store of value and even worse medium of exchange, though.

 

Sponge is a porous mass. You often get it by making an alloy, then using an acid or other chemical to dissolve one component of the alloy; what's left is porous.

Powder is, well, powder -- a bunch of separate and very tiny bits.

 

Disappointed you didn't mention fulminating Gold (not exactly the same: shaken not stirred lol)

Killed Dr. Faustus, no?

jeffb-
Nubbins? Rocky bits? Residue and NOT 'ore'?

 

And you though investing in copper was a scam!!

 

Can wait for some Uranium rounds to be minted! Those will be nice and safe. Or Lead, I could go for a couple American Lead Eagles!

 

I was wrong. I am sorry for those who paid 400% premiums on their copper and were made fun of. It was not fair of me to judge. I will, from now on, only poke fun at those who invest in Zirconium bullion.

 

These bars make investing copper look like gold.

 

These bars make the Kardashians look like decent human beings.

I like this game.

 

You could stamp American Liberty on an expired Twinkie (tm) and someone would sell it and someone else would buy it as 'bullion' . A Twinkie conspiracy

 

Too soon.
http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/07/26/hostess-twinkies-bankrupt/