Step 1: Concept Zirconium and hafnium are chemically almost identical due to the lanthanide contraction, making them very difficult to separate.
Step 2: Meaning These two elements always occur together in nature, primarily in the mineral zircon.
Step 3: Analysis While iron or magnesium might be present in trace amounts, hafnium is the most persistent and significant impurity in commercial-grade zirconium.
Step 4: Conclusion For nuclear applications, hafnium must be specifically removed, but it remains the most common impurity in standard commercial zirconium.
Final Answer: (C)