Mineralpedia Details for Zircon
Zircon
Named for the Arabic word zarqun, which is "thought to be derived from the Persian zar, for 'gold,' and gun, for 'color.'” Extremely common and widespread, Zircon is found as an igneous and metamorphic accessory mineral, large crystals in pegmatites and carbonatites, and in sedimentary rocks and sands. Despite its frequency, fine, gemstone-quality crystals are rare. Nearly all zircon fluoresces under UV light. Can be radioactive.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/zircon.pdf
- Formula
- ZrSiO4
- Crystal System
- Tetragonal
- Crystal Habit
- Prismatic, Tabular, Crystalline - Fine
- Cleavage
- Indistinct, None, None
- Luster
- Adamantine
- Color
- brown, reddish brown, colorless, gray, green
- Streak
- white
- Class
- Tetragonal - Ditetragonal Dipyramidal
- Fracture
- Uneven
- Hardness
- 7.5
- WebMineral
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Zircon from Siberia, Russia
Small greasy reddish brown doubly terminated crystal to 7x3x3mm.
Zircon from Goiás, Brazil
Reddish brown, greasy luster first and second order dipyramids with no prism faces. Overall 1.7 x 1.3 x 1.2cm.
Zircon from Iredell Co., North Carolina, United States
Reddish tetragonal dipyramid crystal to 1.7 x 1.2 x 1.2cm.
Zircon from Harchoo, Astor, Diamer dist., N.A., Pakistan
Orange-red, gemmy Zircon crystal.
Zircon from Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia
Large chocolate brown Zircon crystals to 2cm on edge. Much nicer than photos depict!
Zircon from Pikes Peak, El Paso Co., Colorado, United States
Old, antique specimen with several euhedral reddish brown Zircon crystals. The largest crystal is 9mm on edge. The number on the specimn matches the number on the label.
Zircon from Ruggles quarry, Grafton Co., New Hampshire, United States
- Special Info
- Radioactive!!
1-3mm brownish red uranium and/or yttrium rich Zircons commonly found in pegmatites. The "gummite" is a catch all term for various alterations of Uraninite.
Zircon from Tigerville Prospect, Greenville Co., South Carolina, United States
Well-formed, excellent creamy brown crystals. The main, best crystal is 9mm.
Zircon from Betroka dist., Anosy, Tuléar prov., Madagascar
Terminated creamy brown Zircon crystal to 2.5cm with a little matrix.
Zircon from St Peters Dome, El Paso Co., Colorado, United States
Sharp, reddish brown, nice crystals to 1.3cm.
Zircon from Harts Ranges, Northern Territory, Australia
A large, impressive partial Zircon crystal 7cm across!
Zircon from Miass, Southern Urals, Russia
Old specimen with a large 1.5 x 1.5cm Zircon crystal with a old George English and University of Chicago label.
Zircon from Bancroft, Ontario, Canada
A great example of reddish brown group of Zircon crystals. This is the uranium and thorium rich variety known as cyrtolite. Obtained by Hampson in 1946.
