Zircon is a semi-precious, natural gemstone found in a variety of colors such as blue, orange, yellow or honey, red, green, white, etc. it comes under the family of Nesosilicates minerals.
Astrologers recommend colorless Zircon as a substitute for diamond. Especially as jewelry, healing, and the birthstone for December-born people, the Zircon is used.
From ancient times, the underrated, magnificent Zircon gemstone was used for treasure purposes and worn.
The gemstone appraisal service is offered by the list of the business offerings of the International Gem Society.
For the excellent fire, dispersion, and high refractive index, Zircon valued it more. Compared to ruby, sapphire, tanzanite, or spinel, the Zircon has a higher refractive index.
The color range of Zircon is between light to medium blue. Sometimes Zircon is seen in a light greenish secondary color.
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How Much Does Zircon Cost?
The cost of Zircon depends upon the size, clarity, and saturation of color. Generally, the cost is between $75 to $400 per carat approximately. The cost of this gemstone varies depending upon whether it is saturated or of high quality.
Only the specialized gem dealers can provide you with the natural Zircon because of its limited supply. From Burma and Cambodia, the Zircons generally come.
Cost of Blue Zircon
Compared to other blue stones, the blue Zircon is most popular; more sparkle is seen in fine blue Zircon.
The formation of Blue Zircon is possible By low-temperature heating. But the blue color of this gemstone is turned out only on the Zircon that comes from Burma and Cambodia.
A 5 to 10-carat size of high-quality Zircon costs about $200 to $300 per carat. On the other hand, a 10-carat fine saturated blue Zircon costs about $300 to $400.
Cost of yellow Zircon
The yellow Zircon is also known as honey or golden Zircon. It is the most inexpensive Zircon, approximately the same as Africa’s red Zircon.
The typical cost of red Zircon is between $75 to $125 per carat. But $50 to $100 per carat is the cost of honey Zircon. The cost is more in the case of large-sized and rare colored Zircon.
Cost of White Zircon
Once upon a time, white Zircons were sold as a substitute for diamonds. At that time this gemstone was sold like the synthetic named moissanite. The cost of white Zircon is less expensive at $35 to $50 per carat. Among all colorless gemstones, this is the most brilliant one.
Cost of Green Zircon
Green Zircons have come under the exceptionally rare category. The formation of the green Zircon is possible due to metamictization which is a natural radiation process.
The metamict Zircons are not crystalline but amorphous due to the changes in the crystal lattice produced by the radiation process for a long duration of geological time.
The Zircons maintain the characteristic Zircon fire all the time by this process. Therefore, the collectors have coveted these rare specimens.
The clean fine green Zircons have cost about $250 to $300 per carat approximately. The olive-green gemstone generally costs less.
You might be interested to know the cost of others gemstone like:
Trade names of Zircon
- Starlite: slightly greenish blue, rich, and heated Zircons. This marketing name is still countered, although it is not generally caught on.
- Jacinth or Hyacinth: it is the reddish-brown transparent Zircon. A garnet of the reddish-orange variety named “hessonite” was called by this trade name historically.
- Jargon or jargoon: colorless from light yellow Zircon.
- Melichrysos: yellow Zircons.
- Beccarite: green zircons.
- Streamlite: blue zircons.
- Sparkle: colorless zircons.
Zircon properties and Radiation
During their natural growth, a small amount of thorium and uranium, which are radioactive, are picked up by some Zircons.
It is hard to measure the radiation of Zircon. The crystal structure breaks down by the radiation over millions of years.
These stones become metamict from their usual color green. This change is due to radiation which changes the crystalline structure to the amorphous.
As compared to the crystalline type, the metamict zircons have a brilliance and lower RI.
Depending upon the level of deterioration, zircons are classified into low, medium or immediate, or high categories.
These categories are also known as gamma, beta, and alpha. Because the properties change in an even progression, the categories are easily distinguished.
- Low zircons: it is metamict.
- Medium zircons: due to radiation, this type is slightly damaged.
- High zircons: it has high properties and is fully crystalline.
Both high and low categorized zircons have the same dispersion but the properties vary for other opticals. For example, there is a cloudy texture in the common Zircon generally.
Identifying characteristics of Zircon
Luminescence
Zircon’s fluorescence is variable. There are some inert materials and an intense glow in other crystals. Under shortwave UV light, the yellow-orange and mustard yellow are genuine fluorescent colors. In longwave UV light, some zircons look dull yellow. Under X-rays, zircons may be greenish, whitish, violet-blue, or yellow.
● Yellow to orangish-yellow: under longwave and shortwave: inert-moderate yellow-orange
● Red to orange-red: under shortwave: inert-strong, yellow-orange
● Green: generally inert
● Brown: under shortwave: inert-very week red
● Blue: under longwave: light blue, inert-moderate
Absorption spectrum
The most useful way to identify Zircon is the absorption pattern. More than 40 lines are shown in the Myanmar greenstone and there are few lines in the Zircon from New South Wales and Australia.
There are weaker displays in heat-treated stones and low zircons. There is no spectrum in brown and red Zircon.
Synthetic Zircon
Crystalline zircons are synthesized by the flux method by scientists for research purposes. Synthetic zircons are found on many online sites. The synthetic material may be cubic zirconia or lab-created Zircon.
By knowing the actual stone size, sources, and Zircon enhancement, you can quickly identify the natural Zircon.
Conclusion
Someone can prefer wearing Zircon to prevent damage, for protective settings, or only for jewelry purposes. Before choosing the gemstone, you have to check the gem cutter’s natural radioactivity and then work on them. You should not use an ultrasonic cleaner or any other mechanical system to clean it. You have to use mild detergent, warm water, and a soft brush for its cleaning. If you want to buy the best Zircon, you should choose the colorless Zircon, because it is found in high quality and purest form. The most valuable Zircon is blue Zircon.
