| Zircon | |
|---|---|
| [[|250px]] | |
| Pronounce | {{{pronounce}}} |
| Rare Metal | {{{rare}}} |
| Type | Nesosilicate mineral |
| Cleave | Indistinct in two directions |
| Hard | 7.5 |
| Streak | White |
| Lust | |
| Specific Gravity | {{{specify}}} |
| Chemical Compounds | |
| Essential mineral(s) | {{{essential}}} |
| Accessory mineral(s) | {{{accessory}}} |
Zircon is the traditional birthstone for December. It varies in color from colorless to brown, red, green, and yellow golden. The crystal structure of Zircon is tetragonal crystal class. The color of the Zircon can be affected by heating it in different temperatures. Variations of blue, red and orange can also be made from heating the Zircon. The colorless variations of Zircon are often substitution for diamonds in jewelry, These variations are known as "Matura Diamonds". Zircon is also radioactive and fluorescent.
Zircon is additionally used in nuclear reactors, due to the neutron absorption properties.
Zircon is commonly used in trade worldwide because of it's polished and glossy look, giving it a "diamond like" appearance.