Zircon
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Physical & Optical Properties
Category
Semi-Precious Gems
Mohs Hardness
7.5
Specific Gravity
3.93 – 4.73
Refractive Index
1.81 – 2.024
Crystal System
Tetragonal
Luster
Vitreous
Cleavage
Indistinct
Fracture
Conchoidal
Color
various
Birefringence
0.045
Dispersion
0.039
Pleochroism
Red zircon - distinct: purplish-red - reddish-brown; Orange/brown zircon - weak: yellow-brown - red-brown; Yellow - weak: honey-yellow - brown-yellow; Blue - strong: colorless to gray - blue; Green - weak: brownish-green - green
Mohs Hardness
Mohs Hardness: 7.5
1 Soft10 Hard
Crystal System
Value & Market
Price Tier
Moderate ($50-500/ct)
Where to Buy Zircon
Blue Nile
Fine jewelry retailer
James Allen
Gemstone jewelry
Brilliant Earth
Ethically sourced gems
Amazon
Wide selection
Links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Cultural Significance
Birthstone Month
12 (traditional)
Treatments
The brown varieties are heat-treated at temperatures of 1472-1832 degrees F (800-1000 degrees C), producing colorless and blue zircons. These colors do not necessarily remain constant; ultraviolet rays or sunlight can produce changes. - Gemstones of the world, Walter Schumann, 2001, p 108
Synthetic zircons are only of scientific interest. - Gemstones of the world, Walter Schumann, 2001, p 108
7.5Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) High typeMore from other references
3.93 to 4.73Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references
BrittleHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) May show abraded facet junctions, brittleness increasing with heat-treatmentMore from other references
IndistinctWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references
ConchoidalArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
1.810 to 2.024Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references
Uniaxial/+Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references
0.045 to 0.059Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) High typeMore from other references
Red zircon - distinct: purplish-red - reddish-brown; Orange/brown zircon - weak: yellow-brown - red-brown; Yellow - weak: honey-yellow - brown-yellow; Blue - strong: colorless to gray - blue; Green - weak: brownish-green - greenHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references
0.039Michael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) In the heat-treated colourless material when facetedMore from other references
Low type: star 4Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Colourless, blue, green, yellow-green, yellow, green-brown, brown, yellow-red, redUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references
Blue color: greenish; green color: may appear pinkishHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Blue, U4+. Red, Nb4+ color centers.W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
Transparent,TranslucentArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
VitreousWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) Vitreous luster to a brilliant sheen.More from other references
Blue: very weak - light orange. Red and brown: weak - dark yellowWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001)
Inert to orangy-yellowHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
TetragonalHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references
Short, stocky 4-sided prisms with pyramidal endsWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references
Most gem zircon occurs as pebbles in gem gravels.Michael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references
Zircon - Locality: Unknown (possibly Burma)Zircon - Locality: Unknown (possibly Cambodia)Zircon - Locality: Tanzania
Zircon information at mindat.org
Australia
Faulkner and Shigley (1989)
F.L. Sutherland (1999)
Cambodia
mindat.org
mindat.org
China
Kyrgyzstan
Madagascar
Hanni (1999)
Hanni (1999)
Myanmar
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Russia
Y. Shelementiev (1999)
Y. Shelementiev (1999)
Sri Lanka
Milisenda and Henn (1999)
Milisenda and Henn (1999)
Milisenda and Henn (1999)
Milisenda and Henn (1999)
Econ Geol (1981) 76:733-738
Tanzania
gemexplorer.org
Thailand
E.Ya. Kievlenko (2003) Geology of gems, p. 44
Vietnam
About Zircon
Zircon is a zirconium silicate mineral with one of the highest refractive indices of any natural gem and strong dispersion, producing a fire and brilliance that rivals diamond, and its name may be the origin of the word 'jargon' (an old name for pale stones) or derive from the Arabic 'zarqun' (gold-colored). It is also Earth's oldest known mineral, with crystals from Jack Hills, Australia dated at 4.4 billion years, nearly as old as Earth itself. Natural blue, golden, and colorless zircon (enhanced by heat treatment) remain popular gems, often confused with the unrelated synthetic cubic zirconia.
Origins
Jewelry Use
Durability
8/10
Suitable for daily wear
Science FYI Family
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zircon?
Zircon is a zirconium silicate mineral with one of the highest refractive indices of any natural gem and strong dispersion, producing a fire and brilliance that rivals diamond, and its name may be the origin of the word 'jargon' (an old name for pale stones) or derive from the Arabic 'zarqun' (gold-
What is the hardness of Zircon?
Zircon has a Mohs hardness of 7.5, making it excellent for use in jewelry.
What color is Zircon?
Zircon is primarily Various.
Where is Zircon found?
Zircon is found in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) (Sri Lanka).
How much does Zircon cost?
Zircon falls into the Moderate ($50-500/ct) price range. Prices vary based on color, clarity, cut, and origin.