Contents
Information
Zircon is mineral species defined zirconium silicate, can contain trace of radioactive material like uranium and thorium, these kind of material can change completely the structure of the crystals.
Natural Zircon is not a very popular gemstone, because a lot of people confuse natural Zircon with synthetic man made diamond simulating, called cubic zirconia, but natural Zircon are gemstone really beautiful and attractive with a lot of fire and light dispersion very close to diamond, good hardness, density and nice color variety.
In ancient time natural Zircon, that is considered one of the oldest gemstone mined from the earth, was used to substitute diamonds duo to its beauty and optical properties, zircon is a birefringence stone, with strong pleochroism, high dispersion and high refractive index.
It can be colorless, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, violet, brown.
This attractive stone variety can display a lot of natural color like: Colorless, yellow, green, brownish, orange, red, pink and purple.
Blue color is usually obtained by heat processing the dark brownish orange variety stones of this mineral family.
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Healing Properties
Birthstone of December, natural Zircon is assigned to the planet of Pluto, its stone emanate high energy and is considered highly spiritual.
Knew as a stone of virtue, it helps to balance the virtuous aspects within you, develop intuitions.
With its vibrations it provides spiritual protections and stimulate meditation and can provide abundance and prosperity.
Treatment
They are usually treated by heat to enhance the color, especially the dark orangish brown crystals are heated to transform them into the attractive blue variety of this awesome stone.
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Origin and gemstone source
The main mining source can be found in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Burma (Myanmar), Brazil, Thailand, Vietnam, Africa (Nigeria, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania) where is found the most gem quality material.
They can also be mined out of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Australia.
Optical Effect
Natural Zircon resemble natural diamonds with a lot of fire and luster, present strong double refraction, strong pleochroism, high density and high refractive index, which it means a really attractive gemstone to watch and wear.
Images and photos
Uses
Easy to find with transparency, natural crystals are often faceted into the most popular gemstone cut like: round,pear, oval, cushion, trillions or octagonal emerald cut to display the attractive color of the stone and set into jewelry, especially when cut into the round shape it can be really close to diamonds for its high fire.
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Care and Cleaning
It is considered an hard stone with am hardness of 6.5 – 7.5 on the Mohs scale, but it can produce some problems during the setting into jewel or during the faceting process.
You must avoid ultrasonic cleaner or steam cleaner, to clean your natural stone use only soapy water and a soft cloth to dry it when washed.
Don’t wear your gemstone during sports or enlivened activities.
Scam and Fraud
Natural Zircon comes in many colors so it can be resembled to other natural gemstones like:
Gemological Info
- Mineral family: Zirconium silicate
- Crystal: Tetragonal
- Density: 3.90 – 4.69
- Hardness: 7.5
- Refractive index: 1.685 – 1.707
- Optic Character: Uniaxial positive to isotropic
- Color: Blue, violet blue, greenish blue
- Cause of color: Various
- Luster: Vitreous to sub adamantine
- Clarity: Transparent Type 1
- Fluorescent: Weak
- Cleavage: Poor
- Durability: Medium High
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