Knowledge
A naturally occurring gem which forms in a variety of hues, Zircon is a beautiful and often underrated gemstone. A naturally occurring gem which forms in a variety of hues, Zircon is a beautiful and often underrated gemstone.
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History
The oldest known mineral on earth, samples of zircon from Australia date back 4.3 billion years, nearly as old as the planet itself.
There has been some debate as to the origin of the name, with many scholars believing it derives from the Arabic ‘zarkun’, meaning ‘cinnabar’ or ‘vermillion’. Other people suggest it has a Persian source with the word ‘zargun’ meaning ‘gold coloured’. Both options are possible and allude to the wide range of colours a zircon can come in.
Zircon has historically been known by other names, including jacinth which refers to the yellow-red, red-brown type. It is this that is named as one of the twelve sacred gemstones mentioned in the Bible.
£32,500
£3,500
In the Middle Ages, this gem was thought to induce sound sleep, drive away evil spirits, and promote riches, honor, and wisdom.
A few hundred years on, renowned Gemmologist George Kunz, a notable advocate of this gem, suggested it be named ‘starlite’ due to its dazzling properties, however this did not catch on.
Physical Characteristics
Colorless zircon, often known as Matara, after the city in Sri Lanka near where it is mined, is well known for its brilliance, dispersion and flashes of multicolored light, called fire. These properties are similar to that of a diamond, and for centuries the two gems have been confused. Zircon also occurs in an array of colors, including yellow, green, red, reddish brown, and blue.
Zircon crystals grow in many different types of rock and are often classified into three types—high, intermediate, and low, depending on its properties. These in turn are related to the amount of damage that has been done to the crystal structure due to radiation, with low zircons having the most amount of damage to the crystal structure. Those which feature in jewellery are high zircons, which have a full crystal structure that has little to no radioactive damage. These showcase normal physical and optical properties, as typically associated with zircon.
Today zircon is also known for being the birthstone of December, so whether you are looking for that perfect gift, or to treat yourself to something unique, explore our collection of zircon jewellery in our showroom, or online.
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Moonstone
Zircon is a naturally occurring gemstone that comes in a variety of colours. In its colourless form, it has often been mistaken for a diamond over the centuries, and was at one point used as a diamond simulant.
No, although a common misconception due to similar names and appearance when colourless, zircon is a mineral and gemstone in its own right whereas cubic zirconia is a solely man-made/synthetic stone.
Some are yes, the most valuable zircons are blue, green and bright red.
Blue zircon is the most sought after of all colours. It therefore commands the highest price due to its demand, and can come in sizes ranging from 1-10 carats making them versatile for jewels of different types.
Mines in Ceylon, Cambodia, Thailand and Burma are all known to produce zircon, with the oldest samples found in Australia.