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:''For the [[hypersonic missile]], see [[Zircon missile]].''
{{Mineral
{{Mineral
|name=Zircon
|name=Zircon
}}
}}
'''Zircon''' is a mineral, gem, and birthstone. Zircons are commercially mined for the metal [[zirconium]]. "More than 95% of current world production of zirconia and zirconium chemicals comes from processing of zircon. Zircon is processed in a number of locations world wide but [[China]] currently dominates supply of processed zirconium products and world output is around 96,000 tonnes." <ref>[http://www.alkane.com.au/projects/nsw/dubbo/DZP%20Summary%20June07.pdf The Dubbo Zirconia Project]</ref> Zircon is one of the three [[birthstone]]s for December; the other two are [[Tanzanite]] and [[Turquoise]]. <ref>[http://www.americangemsociety.org/birthstones.htm?gclid=CLu6o5CW-pACFRsTawodHiK31Q American Gem Society: Traditional Birthstones]</ref> "Zircon is often confused with [[Cubic Zirconia]]. Cubic Zirconia, a synthetic, inexpensive Diamond simulant, resembles colorless Zircon and has a similar sounding name. However, the two are totally separate materials, and have no connection with each other." <ref>[http://www.minerals.net/mineral/sort-met.hod/alphabet/abcdsort.htm Minerals.net]</ref> "Zircon resembles [[diamond]] in [[luster]] and fire and colorless zircons have been mistaken for diamonds by experienced jewelers." Notable occurances are located in Seiland, [[Norway]]; [[Pakistan]]; [[Russia]]; Bancroft and Sudbury, [[Ontario]], [[Canada]] and [[New Jersey]] and [[Colorado]], USA.<ref>[http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/zircon/zircon.htm Mineral galleries]</ref> Zircon belongs to the [[Silicates]] mineral class.
'''Zircon''' is a mineral, gem, and birthstone. It has a density of 4.7 grams/cm<sup>3</sup>.
Zircons are commercially mined for the metal [[zirconium]]. "More than 95% of current world production of zirconia and zirconium chemicals comes from processing of zircon. Zircon is processed in a number of locations world wide but [[China]] currently dominates supply of processed zirconium products and world output is around 96,000 tonnes." <ref>[http://www.alkane.com.au/projects/nsw/dubbo/DZP%20Summary%20June07.pdf The Dubbo Zirconia Project]</ref> Zircon is one of the three [[birthstone]]s for December; the other two are [[Tanzanite]] and [[Turquoise]].<ref>[http://www.americangemsociety.org/birthstones.htm?gclid=CLu6o5CW-pACFRsTawodHiK31Q American Gem Society: Traditional Birthstones]</ref>
*"Zircon is often confused with [[Cubic Zirconia]]. Cubic Zirconia, a synthetic, inexpensive Diamond simulant, resembles colorless Zircon and has a similar sounding name. However, the two are totally separate materials, and have no connection with each other." <ref>[http://www.minerals.net/mineral/sort-met.hod/alphabet/abcdsort.htm Minerals.net]</ref>
*"Zircon resembles [[diamond]] in [[luster]] and fire and colorless zircons have been mistaken for diamonds by experienced jewelers."
Notable occurrences are located in Seiland, [[Norway]]; [[Pakistan]]; [[Russia]]; Bancroft and Sudbury, [[Ontario]], [[Canada]] and [[New Jersey]] and [[Colorado]], USA.<ref>[http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/zircon/zircon.htm Mineral galleries]</ref> Zircon belongs to the [[Silicates]] mineral class.
==Zircon and Creationism==
Zircon has recently become a subject of interest for [[Creationist]]s. Studies of the rate at which radioactive particles in the zircon release [[helium]] have shown that the zircons found today contain far to much helium to be more than 14,000 years old.<ref>https://www.icr.org/pdf/research/Helium_ICC_7-22-03.pdf</ref> This has been used to support the idea of a young Earth.
==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}
==External Links==
==External links==
*[http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/zircon/zircon.htm Amethyst Galleries]
*[http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/zircon/zircon.htm Amethyst Galleries]
*[http://www.mindat.org/min-4421.html Mindat.org]
*[http://www.mindat.org/min-4421.html Mindat.org]
*[http://www.minerals.net/mineral/sort-met.hod/alphabet/abcdsort.htm Minerals.net]
*[http://www.minerals.net/mineral/sort-met.hod/alphabet/abcdsort.htm Minerals.net]
[[Category: Birthstones]]
[[Category:Birthstones]]
[[Category:Gems]]
[[Category:Gems]]