How and where is Zircon formed?

Zircon is an interesting mineral, especially since it is rare and usually misunderstood.  Zircon is probably known most of all by its synthetic knockoff Cubic Zirconium.  However, it should be noted that Zircon itself, is a natural forming gemstone that has a lot to offer. 

Zircon is formed from Zirconium silicate and is written as ZrSiO4.  It usually possesses many trace elements including uranium, thorium and lead.  Another fascinating aspect about Zircon is that it also has color centers.  Several minerals include this attribute of the ability to change color by simply heating it or irradiating it.  Zircon can change a multitude of colors with heats that range in intensity from 900 to 1,000 degrees Celsius.

This mineral is found in practically every igneous rock, however in very, very small quantities.  You are most opt to find Zircon in crystal or quartz poor rock.  Pegmatities are common places, as well as syenites.

Zircon is found in many colors including blue, red, green, yellow, colorless and brown.  Brown is the most common.  While Zircon does have a decent hardness of 6.5 to 7, it can be brittle and can chip.  While it will hold up if you wear this mineral as jewelry o a daily basis, caution should be taken.

Colorless Zircon has the distinction of being the mineral that comes closest to resembling a diamond naturally, usually due to its high refraction and fire.  Some of the many regions that Zircon can be found in are Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia and Sri Lanka.  However, Thailand is the world’s leading producer of Zircon.

The different colors, shapes and sizes that Zircon comes in

While not as known as other gemstones, Zircon deserves a host of accolades for being an extremely beautiful and sophisticated natural forming mineral.  Most people think of one thing when they hear the word Zircon- Cubic Zirconium.  However, it should be noted that Cubic Zirconium (CZ) is a synthetic gemstone created in a lab and not a natural forming minerals such as Zircon.

Zircon is a very rare stone, however very small crystals can be found in practically any igneous rock.  Zircon comes in a wide variety of colors with lots of wonderful attributes.    Some of the many colors that Zircon comes in are colorless, blue, red, green, yellow and brown.  Like Topaz, Zircon can be exposed to intense heat or radiation and have its color changed.  Zircon includes color centers which have small amounts of elements that can change from one color to another.  Usually brown Zircon (which is the most common color) is changed into blue, a more popular color.

It should be noted that colorless Zircon is the gemstone that most closely resembles the diamond, due to its color, fire and texture.  While Zircon can be cut into many different shapes and does come in many sizes, usually under 10 carats, you do need to be choosey with the jewelry pieces you set Zircon in.  Zircon can be brittle and while it does have a decent hardness, it can be scratched and chipped.  While rings can be chosen for occasional wear, earrings, charms and other jewelry pieces are better choices.