This Is Getting Rediculous.

I'm still reeling from my purchase of the 1-oz proof AME. Lady Liberty's image is a little diluted on the mercury these days

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Discovery: Martin Klaproth 1789 (Germany); zircon mineral is mentioned in biblical texts.
Electron Configuration: [Kr] 4d[SUP]2[/SUP] 5s[SUP]2[/SUP]
Word Origin: Named for the mineral zircon. Persian zargun: gold-like, which describes the color of the gemstone known as zircon, jargon, hyacinth, jacinth, or ligure.
Isotopes: Natural zirconium consists of 5 isotopes; 15 additional isotopes have been characterized.
Properties: Zirconium is a lustrous grayish-white metal. Finely-divided metal may ignite spontaneously in air, especially at elevated temperatures, but the solid metal is relatively stable. Hafnium is found in zirconium ores and is difficult to separate from zirconium. Commercial-grade zirconium contains from 1% to 3% hafnium. Reactor-grade zirconium is essentially free of hafnium.Uses: Zircaloy(R) is an important alloy for nuclear applications. Zirconium has a low absorption cross section for neutrons, and is therefore used for nuclear energy applications, such as for cladding fuel elements. Zirconium is exceptionally resistant to corrosion by seawater and many common acids and alkalis, so it is used extensively by the chemical industry where corrosive agents are employed. Zirconium is used as an alloying agent in steel, a getter in vacuum tubes, and as a component in surgical appliances, photoflash bulbs, explosive primers, rayon spinnerets, lamp filaments, etc. Zirconium carbonate is used in poison ivy lotions to combine with urushiol. Zirconium alloyed with zinc becomes magnetic at temperatures below 35°K. Zirconium with niobium is used to make low temperature superconductive magnets. Zirconium oxide (zircon) has a high index of refraction and is used as a gemstone. The impure oxide, zirconia, is used for laboratory crucibles that will withstand heat shock, for furnace linings, and by the glass and ceramic industries as a refractory material.

 

Just make sure to soak them in water every once in awhile to keep it clean...

 

If they ever manage to get osmium, and iridium into grams size coin form, I'll finally pull the trigger on an order . . . plus some rhodium of course :yes:

 

If you want Lead Eagles just buy a couple ASEs from China...

 

Rhodium has been (widely!) available in ingot form since early 2012 ... and it's cheaper now than almost ever before (in terms of Au.) Typically, 1 ozt. of Rh cost 5-6 ozt. of Au... BUY LOW, that's Rh now (fwiw)

Available from better dealers and online:
https://online.kitco.com/bullion/completelist_USD.html#rhodium

American Elements has manufactured Ir planchets before; not sure currently in stock
http://www.americanelements.com/irmbcn.html

Osmium forms toxic compounds (ill-advised for retail buyers) ; that said, http://www.elementsales.com/pl_element.htm#os

 

Not that it's relevant to the discussion at hand, but boy, do I wish that someone would correct the misspelling in the title of this thread... :headbang:

 

I know, it's ridiculous, isn't it?

 

A OPer cannot correct errors in the title (or at least I couldn't, when it was mine.)

That said, that word is morphing into acceptability with people under 25.

 

Pretty wild that you can purchase all of these, many being toxic, but none the less very cool! Have you purchased any of these Juan?

 

I used Osmium tetroxide in my Transmission Electron Microscope work as a stain since it has such a high density, higher energy electrons could be used. We also used vaporized gold for examing the outer surface of micro structures. Fun Times!

 

Yeah, why is it that the coolest, most useful chemicals are always the most expensive ones?

Oh, wait, I forgot "water". Never mind.

 

No. I do have a series of emails back-&-forth with Laura at American Elements from late 2009, investigating the potential of Ruthenium coins for clients. It wasn't economical for either party then, but I found them professional. Not a recommend, just an fyi.

Ruthenium in bullion would have a steeper premium (than the Baird Mint Rh bar) even if Ru looks cheap now.
http://www.bloomberg.com/quote/JMATRUTH:IND

The real debacle was w/ Haanes Tulving. It didn't go legal, but it was a professional embarassment. From that fraud I can only suggest: BUY FROM REPUTABLE DEALERS ONLY.