Zircon Gem Properties

Zircons were called "jacinth" or "hyacinth" in older writings. Zircons are exceptionally brilliant gemstones; the high zircon has the highest refractive index of any natural transparent gemstone. High zircons are usually blue or colorless. Fine blue zircons are rare, but they are exceptionally beautiful stones.

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By Sondra FrancisMore from this author

* Zircons come in three types in nature: low, medium and high; these vary greatly in specific gravity and refractive index.

Blue Zircon, 14.06 carats, Cambodia
Photo by ICA/Bart Curren

Unfortunately, zircons suffer from an identity crisis; colorless zircons were used as diamond substitutes before there were man-made diamond substitutes; and many people confuse "cubic zirconia," a laboratory manufactured stone which does not occur in nature, with natural zircons.

Golden Zircon, 7.54 carats
Square rose cut by Philip Youngman. Photo by David Dikinis

Too often natural zircon is overlooked as the true beauty it is. Colors other than blue are rather hard to find, natural yellows, greens and brown are brilliant earthy colored gemstones. Red zircons are magnificent but good ones are extremely hard to find.

Green Zircon, 3.14 carats
Photo by ICA/Bart Curren

The zircon buyer will find small sizes of zircons with ordinary colors in the low price per carat price range. Fine intense blues, oranges, and reds - especially in sizes over three or so carats - will fall into the moderate price per carat range.

Zircon Gem Properties

Colors:	Blue, green, yellow, orange, brown, colorless and red
R.I.:	1.78 - 1.94 *
Durability:	Fragile
S.G.:	3.95 - 4.8*
Treatment:	Heating for certain colors
Hardness:	6.5 - 7.5
Availability:	Smaller blue stones can be found; others rare
Localities:	Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (burma) and Thailand
Price:	Low to moderate
Common shapes:	Mostly rounds and ovals for best brilliance

Treatment

The earthy colored zircons are usually natural in color; the intense blue, oranges, and golds generally have been heated. Nature simply did not finish creating these more vibrant colors. Colorless zircons have been heated.

Zircons do have a problem with abrasions around facet junctions and if they are set into rings, should be put into a protective setting. They are perfect for earrings, pendants and brooches. Zircons were used fairly widely in Victorian jewelry, but most of these stones are fairly worn looking and abraded today. It is important to store zircon jewelry carefully to avoid scratching and abrasion.

About the Author: Sondra Francis has scoured every major colored gemstone market in the world since 1978. She was a charter member of the American Gemstone Association and served as a board member. She was a founding member of the International Colored Gemstone Association. A true gem lover, Sondra has marketed her treasures on the wholesale and retail markets.

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Acknowledgments: A special thanks to Pam Dulgar, Alex Edwards, Cheryl Kremkow, Kate Kirby, Helen Mitchell, Carol Morgan Page, David Pond, Elaine Proffitt, and Ray Zajicek for their help.

Photographs: Bart Curren and ICA Gembureau ; Alex Edwards, Pearl Sales Institute ; David Dikinis

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