Difference between revisions of "Zircon"
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|nameorigin=The name comes from its containing the element, ''zirconium''; which was named from the Arabic, ''zar'' and ''gun'', meaning gold and color. | |nameorigin=The name comes from its containing the element, ''zirconium''; which was named from the Arabic, ''zar'' and ''gun'', meaning gold and color. | ||
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| + | '''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. | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | {{reflist|2}} | ||
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| + | ==External Links== | ||
| + | *[http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/zircon/zircon.htm Amethyst Galleries] | ||
| + | *[http://www.mindat.org/min-4421.html Mindat.org] | ||
| + | *[http://webmineral.com/data/Zircon.shtml Webmineral - Zircon] | ||
| + | *[http://www.minerals.net/mineral/sort-met.hod/alphabet/abcdsort.htm Minerals.net] | ||
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| + | [[Category: Birthstones]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Gems]] | ||
Revision as of 16:52, December 22, 2008
| Zircon | |
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| Chemical name | Zirconium silicate |
| Chemical formula | ZrSiO4 |
| Identification | |
| Colors | Colorless, yellow, grey, red, green, brown, black |
| Crystal habit | Dipyramidal prismatic |
| Crystal system | Tetragonal |
| Cleavage | Poor/Indistinct |
| Fracture | Conchoidal to uneven |
| Hardness | 7.5 |
| Name origin | The name comes from its containing the element, zirconium; which was named from the Arabic, zar and gun, meaning gold and color. |
| Specific gravity | 4.6–4.7 |
| Streak | White |
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." [1] Zircon is one of the three birthstones for December; the other two are Tanzanite and Turquoise. [2] "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." [3] "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.[4] Zircon belongs to the Silicates mineral class.