Stone’s Names: The orange variety of zircon is called jacinth.
Color: Zircon is known as a colorless stone used to imitate diamonds, but also comes in: blue, yellow, orange, red, brown and green.
Description: ZrSiO4 Zircon is a silicate mineral, zirconium silicate. The high refractive index and dispersion of zircon cause it to approach diamond in fire and brilliancy. Zircon is widespread as an accessory mineral in acid igneous rocks, it also occurs in metamorphic rocks and, fairly often, in detrital deposits.
The name’s origin: The name Zircon is originated from Persian Zargun which means “gold color”.
Birthstone: Zircon along with turquoise are birthstones of Sagittarius (Archer): Nov. 22-Dec. 21.
Varieties: Zircon is quite widely used in its three varieties. The first variety is called jacinth (also spelled hyacinth) and was used to a great extent in classical antiquity. It occurs in the clear, transparent red, orange, and yellow colors. The blue variety is called starlite or Siam Zircon, while the third colorless variety is called Ceylon or Matura diamond.
Care and Treatment: Zircon will chip and crack rather easily though it has a hardness rating of 7. As with all gems, protect zircon from scratches and sharp blows. Avoid hot water, sudden temperature changes and household chemicals. Store a jewelry made of zircon in separate boxes. From the stone history: Zircon has been around in jewelry for hundreds of years. It is known for its high dispersion and for many years was used to imitate diamonds.
Shopping guide: Beware of colorless glass and synthetic spinel zircon imitations.
Healing ability: Zircon relieves pain. It is said to whet one’s appetite. Zircon also prevents nightmares and ensures a deep tranquil sleep.
Mystical Power: Zircon supposedly helps one be more at peace with oneself. Zircon is believed to provide the wearer with wisdom, honor and riches. The lost of luster on a Zircon stone is said to warn of danger. Jacinth helps rising one’s self-esteem.
Deposits: It occurs in beach sands in many parts of the world, particularly Australia, India, Brazil, and Florida. Gem varieties occur in stream gravels and detrital deposits, particularly in Indochina and Sri Lanka, but also in Burma, Australia, and New Zealand. Zircon forms an important part of the syenite of southern Norway and occurs in large crystals in Quebec. Zircon is also found in Cambodia, France, Myanmar, Thailand, Nigeria and Tanzania.
Major uses of zircon
Zircon is used in:
- Foundries as sand moulds.
- Refractories as lining for steel ladles and furnaces.
- Ceramics as glazes, pigments and enamels.
- Zirconia production.
- Zirconium chemicals, metals and alloys.
- More than half of the commercially produced zircon is consumed in the ceramic industry as an opacifier in glazes.
Benefits of the process
Lab-scale testing has proved the process. The relatively low-cost process:
- Lowers the radioactivity level.
- Maintains particle size.
- Removes impurities including iron, aluminium, titanium, thorium and uranium.
- Avoids introducing new impurities.
- Protects crystal integrity.
