Zircon
Gem Index - Zircon
Zircon is often overlooked and a wee bit misunderstood. A natural gemstone in its own right, it has incredible depth and a distinctive lively sparkle.
What is Zircon?
Zircon is a natural gemstone valued for its exceptional brilliance, fire and depth of colour.
Formed over billions of years, zircon is one of the oldest minerals found on earth. Its high refractive index and strong dispersion give it a distinctive sparkle, while its natural double refraction can create a heightened sense of movement within the stone.
Zirconium silicate
Mineral
6 - 7.5
Hardness (out of 10)
December
Birthstone
9th
Anniversary
Where is Zircon Found?
Zircon is found in several regions worldwide, with notable sources including Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Madagascar. Many zircons are recovered from alluvial deposits, where natural erosion has gently shaped the crystals over time.
Cambodian zircons are particularly admired for their clarity and colour, while African deposits often yield stones with warmer tones.
Hardness
With a hardness of 6–7.5 on the Mohs scale, zircon is durable, but it's still best to be careful.
As with many natural gemstones, zircon benefits from gentle cleaning and separate storage to protect it from knocks and scratches.
Myths & Legends
Zircon has long been associated with wisdom, clarity and protection. In ancient cultures, it was believed to promote restful sleep and ward off negative influences.
Colour
Zircon occurs in a wide spectrum of colours, including blue, yellow, green, colourless and warm orange tones. Orange zircon is especially distinctive, offering a richness and depth that responds beautifully to light.
Its natural dispersion produces flashes of colour within the stone, giving it a lively, almost glowing quality.
Zircon vs Cubic Zirconia
Despite similar names, zircon and cubic zirconia are entirely different materials.
Zircon is a naturally occurring gemstone formed over billions of years, with unique optical properties and natural variation. Cubic zirconia is a lab-created material designed to imitate diamond.
Zircon’s brilliance, colour depth and internal movement give it a unique character and presence that cannot be replicated synthetically.
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