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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 |
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| Zircon Earring |
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| Zircon Necklace |
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| Zircon Rings |
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