Zircon is a natural, vibrant mineral (zirconium silicate) known for its intense brilliance, high refractive index, and rainbow-like fire. It is often confused with synthetic cubic zirconia, but natural zircon is a genuine gemstone available in blue, red, yellow, orange, brown, and colorless varieties.

Cornerstone gemstone profile

Zircon

A natural mineral with notable optical properties

Species
Zircon
Formula
ZrSiO₄[1]
Mohs
6–7.5[1]
Refractive index
Pending verification

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01

Definition

What is Zircon?

Zircon is a natural mineral species and should not be confused with cubic zirconia. Detailed reference values are pending editorial review. [1]

02

At a glance

Gemological properties

Measured values and species-level properties are linked to their evidence. “Pending” means the value has not cleared review.

2public references
Scientific and gemological properties of Zircon
GemstoneZirconMineral speciesZircon
Mineral groupSilicatesFamilyPending verification
Chemical formulaZrSiO₄[1]Crystal systemPending verification
Mohs hardnessMohs hardnessA comparative scale of scratch resistance from 1 to 10; it does not measure toughness.Learn more6–7.5[1]Specific gravitySpecific gravityThe ratio of a material’s density to the density of water under defined conditions.Learn more3.9–4.73[1]
Refractive indexRefractive indexA measurement describing how light changes speed and direction as it enters a material.Learn morePending verificationBirefringenceBirefringenceThe numerical difference between a doubly refractive material’s principal refractive indices.Learn morePending verification
Optic characterPending verificationDispersionDispersionThe separation of white light into spectral colors because refractive index varies with wavelength.Learn morePending verification
Primary colorMulticolorPleochroismPleochroismDifferent body colors seen in some anisotropic gems when viewed along different crystallographic directions.Learn morePending verification
LusterLusterThe character of light reflected from a material’s surface.Learn morePending verificationTransparencyPending verification
CleavageCleavageA mineral’s tendency to split along specific crystallographic planes.Learn morePending verificationFracturePending verification
TenacityTenacityA material’s response to bending, breaking, crushing, or tearing.Learn morePending verificationFluorescencePending verification
StreakPending verificationAvailabilityNatural · Laboratory-grown
Jewelry suitabilityPending verification

Scope note: some physical properties describe corundum as a mineral species; ruby-specific claims are identified separately in the citations.

03

Locations

Where Zircon occurs

Origin caution: locality relationships do not by themselves prove geographic origin for an individual stone.

REF

Evidence

References & further reading

Citation numbers are deduplicated across properties, claims, sections, structured modules, treatments, inclusions, FAQs, and related educational records.

  1. [1]
    Zircon Gemstone Overview.

    Gemological Institute of America

    View source
  2. [2]
    Vincent Pardieu, Andrew Lucas, and GIA field team. Mogok Expedition Series, Part 1: The Valley of Rubies.

    Gemological Institute of America · 2014

    View source
Written byThe Gem Index Editorial Team
Reviewed byReview pending
Last reviewedPending
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