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.

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

Zircon Glittering Stones