Zircon - what is it? Characteristics, application of stone

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-02 13:48

Let's take a closer look at the wonderful "golden" stone called zircon. Consider it from a variety of facets - from the scientific and aesthetic, practical and magical. And let's start, as usual, with a common popular characteristic.

Zircon is…

The name of the stone comes from the German Zirkon, which, in turn, has in its origins the Persian زرگون ("zargun"), which means "golden". This stone got its name because of its widespread attractive honey color. Zircon, depending on impurities, can have different colors. In addition, modern processing methods allow zircons to acquire various shades.

Zircon is a high-quality gem, a natural stone, which is often referred to as the "little brother" of diamond for its characteristics (amazing refractive properties). This mineral belongs to a subclass of the so-called island silicates. Its official name is zirconium orthosilicate, the formula is ZrSiO_{4. The stone is characterized by the content of a certain proportion (about 4%) of hafnium, which isomorphically replaces zirconium in the crystal lattice of the mineral. Exactlythis rare earth metal gives zircon greater strength and a brilliance comparable to diamond. Some minerals also contain impurities of iron and/or manganese.}

The most common color of zircons is yellow-golden. Depending on the saturation of the shade, you can find pale yellow, warm brownish, brown-scarlet stones. Nature can also please with green and red zircons. But the most amazing and valuable are crystal clear colorless zircons. Opaque and translucent varieties may also have no color. However, rare colorless zircons have a significant disadvantage - they are extremely sensitive to gamma radiation and heat. Such an impact can radically change their characteristics and structure.

Other names for zircon: azorite, hyacinth, yargun, goussakite, engelhardite, zirconium.

Properties of zircon

Let's present a brief physical description of zircon:

• Mineral formula: ZrSiO_4.
• Density: 4, 680-4, 710 g/cm³.
• Syngony: crystallizes in tetragonal syngony, forming prismatic and dipyramidal crystals.
• Hardness (Mohs scale): 7, 5.
• Shine: strong, diamond.
• Cleavage: imperfect in (100).
• Line color: white.
• Kink: conchoidal.
• Special properties: brittleness.

Usually this mineral is radioactive - contains impurities of thorium, uranium and rare earth elements.

Zircon, zirconium, cubic zirconia

Often the termslisted in the subheading are confusing - many consider them synonymous. However, this is not at all the case - an independent object is hidden behind each concept:

• Zircon is a unique natural mineral of various colors and shades, forming irregularly shaped grains and single crystals, sometimes radially radiant intergrowths. Its formula is: ZrSiO_4.
• Zirconium is a metal that has the designation Zr in the periodic table. As can be seen from the formula, it is included in the crystal lattice of zircon.
• Cubic (cubic stabilized) zirconium, better known as cubic zirconia. A lot of confusion is caused by the English name - Cubic Zirconia. Fianite, unlike zircon, is an artificial, synthetic crystal. Its name, by the way, is an abbreviation of the institution where the "zirconium cube" was grown for the first time - the Physical Institute of the Academy of Sciences. The formula of this imitation diamond is CZ (ZrO_2).

Zircon varieties

Looking at the color of zircon in the photo, you can easily determine the variety of a particular mineral:

• Matara diamond (matura-diamond, matar-diamond). The name comes from the toponym where these gems are mined (an area in Sri Lanka). The rarest zircon is absolutely transparent and colorless. In addition, the mineral has an almost diamond luster. Today, scientists have learned how to get Matara diamonds by exposing other types of zircons to special gamma radiation.
• Malacon. This is the name of zircon, which has a warm dark brownshade. May be radioactive.
• Jargon (Siamese zircon - since mined in Thailand). Under this name, crystals of a piercing lemon color are hidden. Sunny, smoky yellow, straw-colored minerals are also quite appropriately classified as jargons.
• Hyacinth. This is a zircon gem of red, pink, raspberry and even orange, brownish (lat. hyacinthus) color. Stones of these shades were named because of their resemblance to hyacinth petals.
• Yacint. The name of zircons is orange-red shades.
• Starlit. This is the name of only a stone ennobled (by heating), which, as a result of exposure, receives a wonderful blue or blue color.
• Green zircon. The gem does not have a specific beautiful name; its peculiarity is that it may contain radioactive uranium microparticles.

Zircon: how to distinguish a fake

Here are a few ways to help determine the authenticity of the gem:

1. Most stones contain radioactive elements, so a device that shows the level of radiation can help you make the right choice.
2. Since cubic zirconias are most often given out as zircons, remember that a natural gem has a much lower density than an artificial "zirconium cube", which is why it weighs less than a fake.
3. Zircon has the brilliance of a diamond, but is given away by resinous inclusions.
4. Unlike the same cubic zirconia, transparent zircons are very rare. In addition, matar "diamonds" (transparentzircons) will not be homogeneous - in their body you will definitely see small inclusions, voids, etc. But artificial cubic zirconia is pristine, transparent and uniform.

Origin and deposits of zircons

The gem is of magmatic origin, found in the body of pegmatites, granites, syenites, etc. In igneous rocks, zircon acts as an accessory mineral. Since many crystals contain a sufficient number of radioactive microparticles, the latter, as a result of their decay, can destroy the structure of zircon, making it metamict. If the host rocks are weathered, then the mineral can be found in placers.

The largest zircon deposits are in:

• Sri Lanka;
• Burma;
• Thailand;
• Vietnam;
• Madagascar;
• Canada;
• USA;
• Brazil;
• Australia;
• Norway;
• Tanzania;
• Cambodia.

In Russia, zircon is mined in Yakutia, the Urals and the Kola Peninsula.

Use of zircon

Let's list the main areas of production where this wonderful gem is useful:

• Jewellery. Alas, at present, zircons are increasingly being replaced by artificial cubic zirkonia. The reason is that yargun, due to its low density, is a rather fragile material, which is why it is often damaged during processing. Therefore, connoisseurs of zircons prefer to purchase antique jewelry sparkling with natural gems.
• Productionfireproof and refractory structures.
• Used in industry as a source of zirconium, hafnium, uranium and valuable rare earth metals.
• Due to the high content of uranium in zircon crystals, the latter is used as a mineral for determining the age of rocks using the uranium-lead dating method.

Healing properties of the gem

Ancient beliefs attribute the following amazing healing properties to the mineral:

• Jargon (yellow zircon) helps people suffering from diseases of the heart, stomach, liver. Also, such stones are useful for kidney diseases - they supposedly help remove excess fluid from the body.
• Earrings with zircon contribute to the fight against dry skin, fine lines of wrinkles, skin diseases.
• Starlit has a beneficial effect on those with diseases of the thyroid and pancreas, and even helps to recover from a brain tumor. It is also considered the best gift for dieters - the stone reduces appetite and fights excess weight.
• Zircon has a positive effect on the pituitary gland, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, in general, energizes a person and helps to achieve emotional balance.
• Products made of silver, zircon relieve insomnia, and sleepers - from nightmares.
• Hyacinth in ancient times was a means of contraception. The stone was heated and held daily in the lower abdomen for 2-3 hours. The procedure was repeated for 8-10 days. However, nothing is known about her success.

Zircon andastrology

It is believed that zircon is projective Yang, because the stone not only releases life-giving energy, but also activates it. The mineral affects the parietal chakra - Sahasrara.

Crystal patronizes the bearers of the names Nina and Anastasia. Those born under the signs of the elements of water, earth, fire and air should choose the shade of their guardian zircon based on the color of the element. The planet of the stone is Jupiter, therefore, in order to protect yourself from his aggression, you should wear a bracelet or ring with zircon on your left hand.

Stars do not advise Cancers and Aries to wear a gem, but for Sagittarius and Aquarius this is the best purchase.

The magical properties of the stone

Two thousand years ago, in the time of the poet Ovid, it was believed that zircon makes any woman attractive and sexy. Indian yoga practitioners claim that the gem literally saturates a person with life-giving bioenergy, overtaking all other stones in this property. Modern psychics believe that amulets with zircon not only protect them from dark entities, but also increase magical power at times.

According to popular beliefs, jargons bring wisdom and luck to their owner, and a zircon ring not only protects from the evil eye and curses of enemies, but also helps to make a difficult decision - just touch the stone with your finger. The Starlites are recognized guardians of travelers, helping the latter to return home safe and sound. It is also believed that it is zircon that is able to eliminate the discord between the soul and the body.

Rocket"Zircon"

Some know "Zircon" and a qualitatively different kind - the Russian anti-ship maneuvering hypersonic cruise missile. Its first test was carried out in 2016, and in 2017 it is planned to begin serial production of such missiles. The Russian Zircon will be put into service in 2018, replacing the P-700 Granit.

The missile has the following significant characteristics:

• launch range: 350-500km;
• speed: 8 sonic speeds;
• hull length: 8-10m;
• guidance: seeker + inertial navigation.

Zircon is a beautiful gem of eye-pleasing colors, striking with diamond brilliance. The crystal is used not only in jewelry, but also in various other industries. In addition to all its apparent virtues, folklore endowed the mineral with various magical and healing properties.