Glittering Stones >> Semi
Precious Stones >> Zircon
Semi Precious Stone Zircon
Zircon (from Persian: Serkin, golden) is a mineral belonging to the group
of gem silicates. Its chemical formula is ZrSiO4. The
crystal structure of zircon is a tetragonal (crystal
class: 4/m 2/m). The natural color of zircon varies between colorless,
yellow-golden, red and brown. Specimens that show gem quality
are very popular substitute for diamond. But
zircons are not to be confused with cubic zirconia which
is actually a synthetic substitute for diamond.
Zircon is the remarkable mineral, if only for its almost ubiquitous presence
in the crust of Earth. It is usually found in magma tic rocks (as primary
crystallization products), in metamorphic rocks (as re crystallized grains)
and also in sedimentary rocks (as detritus grains). Large zircon
crystals are a seldom abundant. Their average size, e.g. in granite
rocks, is about 100-200 µm, but they can also grow to sizes of its
several centimeters, especially in pegmatite’s.
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Historical facts of Zircon
| Refractive Index |
1.967–2.015 |
| Chemical Composition |
ZrSiO4 |
| Mohs Scale hardness |
7.5 |
| Crystal Group |
Tetragonal |
| Density |
4.6–4.7 |
| Crystal habit |
Dipyramidal prismatic |
| Color |
Brown, Blue, Red, Orange, White, Green, Black, Yellow |
| Ocurrence |
Norway, Sri Lanka, India, South Africa, Vesuvius, Cambodia, Western Australia, Canada |
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Zircon Glittering Stones
Zircon Bracelet  |
Zircon Earring  |
Zircon Necklace  |
Zircon Ring  |
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