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With its diverse colors and diamond-like brilliance, zircon is a highly prized gemstone in the jewelry world. A symbol of wisdom and prosperity, zircon is also the birthstone for December. To learn more about this stone widely used in the world of jewelry, here is everything you need to know about zircon.
Its name comes from the Arabic "zarqun," meaning "cinnabar" (red), or the Persian "zargun," meaning "golden." It was once known as Hyacinth. Present on Earth for billions of years and among the oldest minerals on the planet, zircon has been mined and used by humans for a very long time. In 2014, for example, a fragment found in Australia was dated to 4.4 billion years old, making it to this day the oldest mineral ever found on Earth.
Traces of zircon have also been found at very ancient archaeological sites. Despite this, few myths mention the stone with any precision, making its history difficult to trace. It does appear in some ancient texts, however. The Bible, for example, describes it as one of the "stones of fire" set in Aaron's breastplate. The gem is also referenced in a Hindu poem about the Kalpa tree found in Buddhist cosmology. In 1783, it was renamed zircon by German mineralogist and geologist Abraham Werner.
Today, zircon is widely used in jewelry, sometimes as a substitute stone for diamond. Its appearance closely mirrors that of the King of Gems, while coming in at a much more accessible price point. It is also widely used in the nuclear industry.
Zircon forms primarily in magmatic and metamorphic rocks. The main deposits are found in the United States, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, South America, and South Africa. It is also found in Tanzania, Madagascar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Nigeria, and Myanmar (Burma).
Zircon belongs to the silicate group - more specifically, it is a natural zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4). It has a tetragonal crystal structure. While naturally occurring specimens are often brown to yellowish, colorless and colored varieties also exist: blue, honey, orange, red, white, green, and black. Heat treatment can give it a range of additional colors. Given its wide spectrum of colors, zircon pairs beautifully with all metals, warm or cool (yellow, white, or rose gold, silver, platinum).
Zircon is transparent to translucent with a glassy luster. This gemstone displays strong birefringence, meaning light is split into two distinct beams as it enters the stone, along with an adamantine brilliance close to that of a diamond. These gems can be heated to alter their color. Zircon has a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale and a density of 3.9 to 4.7.
On a spiritual level, zircon is a stone that brings peace of mind and harmony, restoring inner balance and strengthening mental resilience. It can be especially helpful during periods of grief or deep sadness. It also has the ability to repel negative energies, clear energetic blockages, and restore strength and courage to its wearer. It is also an excellent stone for meditation.
On a physical level, zircon soothes pain. It helps fight infections and viruses and supports the healing of damaged cells, making it beneficial for those dealing with cancer. Zircon also relieves intestinal issues, stomach cramps, and painful periods. It is a beneficial stone for the cardiovascular system and the respiratory tract.
Despite its good hardness, zircon remains a fairly fragile stone, sensitive to knocks and abrasion. It also does not fare well with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or intense heat sources, which can alter its color. The best practice is to store it in a separate case, away from other stones and jewelry, when not being worn.
To clean zircon, a little warm water and soap are all you need. Gently scrub, rinse, then carefully dry with a soft cloth.
Density and refractive index play a major role in determining a zircon's value. Cut quality is equally critical, given the stone's strong birefringence, which must be perfectly showcased. Color-wise, zircon offers a beautiful palette. In general, blue and green specimens with strong saturation are the most prized. White zircon is very popular as a diamond alternative.
Clarity also matters - the stone should have no inclusions visible to the naked eye. The quality of the transparency and brilliance directly influence the stone's value. Be careful not to confuse zircon with zirconium oxide (also known as Zirconia or CZ). The former is a natural stone, while the latter is lab-created. The distinction is generally noted in jewelry descriptions, but don't hesitate to ask if in doubt. Although zircon is natural, it will be less brilliant and less durable than zirconium oxide.
For quality and authenticity you can trust, look no further than our online jewelry store. At Ocarat, you'll find the finest zircon jewelry from the most respected names in the industry. Necklaces, rings, pendants… explore a wide selection of zircon jewelry at Ocarat. Whatever your criteria, you'll find the piece that's just right for you. If you need guidance, our Ocarat experts are here to help you make the perfect choice.
In its natural state, zircon typically ranges in color from brown to yellow. Depending on the specimen, however, it can also be colorless or take on an entirely different hue: blue, red, orange, honey, green, black, white… Ranging from transparent to translucent with an adamantine and glassy luster, zircon is a stone that closely resembles a diamond.
Even though zircon has good hardness, it remains a relatively fragile stone. To preserve the original beauty of your jewelry, it is important to protect it from impact and avoid exposure to direct sunlight. For cleaning, simply use warm water and a little soap to restore all the brilliance of your jewelry.
Depending on your budget and the type of zircon jewelry you're looking for, several criteria should be considered: density, refractive index, cut quality, clarity, and the quality of transparency and brilliance. On the market, the most sought-after zircon colors are blue, green, and white.
A leading online jewelry destination, Ocarat is committed to offering high-quality pieces that meet every need. Whatever type of jewelry you're looking for - necklace, earrings, ring - you'll find your perfect match at Ocarat. To guarantee the quality of our zircon jewelry, we hand-select the finest pieces from the most respected names in the jewelry world.
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