All you December babies are blessed with 3 distinct birthstones. One of them is Zircon, an underrated gemstone. It is usually confused with cubic zirconia. The reason is similarity in sounds along with use. Both of these are used as diamond simulants. Here’s a less known fact about the December birthstone- zircon is a spectacular natural gemstone available in a variety of colors.
Origin of the stone and where it is found:
4.4 billion years ago, Zircon was found in Australia. Australia still leads the world in zircon mining, producing 37 percent of the world’s supply. Other sources include Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Cambodia, Canada, and the United States.Zircon is the oldest mineral on Earth, dating back more than 4.4 billion years. Found in the Earth’s crust. It’s common in most sand and sedimentary deposits, as well as metamorphic rocks and crystallized magma.Due to its chemical makeup, zircon has survived ages of geologic events like erosion and pressure shifts. As if they were recording these changes like a time capsule. Zircon contains the radioactive element uranium, which changes the gemstone’s chemical structure and color over time. Well, that gives us important clues about the formation of our planet.
Physical Properties:
Chemical ClassificationSilicateColorUsually yellow, brown, or red. Also colorless, gray, blue, and green.StreakColorless. Usually harder than the streak plate.LusterVitreous to adamantine, sometimes oily.DiaphaneityTranslucent to transparentCleavageImperfectMohs Hardness7.5Specific Gravity4.6 to 4.7Diagnostic PropertiesHardness, luster, specific gravityChemical CompositionZrSiO4Crystal SystemTetragonalUsesOre of zirconium metal, ore of zirconium dioxide, whitening agents, white pigment, gemstones, radiometric dating.
