'''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 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> |