Zircon is what? Characteristics, application of stone

Let's get acquainted with a wonderful "golden" stone, which is called zircon. Consider it from a variety of facets - with scientific and aesthetic, practical and magical. And we start, as usual, with the general popular characteristics.

Zircon is ...

The name of the stone came from the German Zirkon, which, in turn, has in its sources the Persian زرگون ("zagun"), which means "golden." This name was given to the stone because of its widespread attractive honey color. Zircon, depending on the impurities, can have different colors. In addition, modern processing methods allow zircons to acquire different shades.

Zircon is a high-quality gem, a natural stone, which for its characteristics (surprising refractive properties) is often referred to as the "younger brother" of a diamond. This mineral belongs to the subclass of so-called island silicates. Its official name is zirconium orthosilicate, the formula is ZrSiO ₄ . The stone is characterized by the content of some fraction (about 4%) of hafnium, which isomorphically replaces zirconium in the crystal lattice of the mineral. It is this rare-earth metal which gives zircon great strength and comparable with diamond shine. Some minerals also contain iron and / or manganese impurities.

The most common color of zircons is yellow-golden. Depending on the saturation of the hue, you can find gentle yellow, warm-brownish, brown-scarlet stones. Nature can also make green and red zircons happy. But the most amazing and valuable are the crystal-clear colorless zircons. Not have the color can also opaque and translucent varieties. However, rare colorless zircons have a significant disadvantage - they are extremely sensitive to gamma radiation and heat. Such an effect can radically change their characteristics and structure.

Other names of zircon: azorite, hyacinth, vigil, gussakit, engelgardite, zirconier.

Properties of zircon

Let's imagine a brief physical characteristic of zircon:

• Formula of the mineral: ZrSiO ₄ .
• Density: 4,680-4,710 g / cm³.
• Singonia: crystallizes in tetragonal syngony, prismatic and dipyramidal crystals are formed.
• Hardness (Mohs Scale): 7.5.
• Glitter: strong, diamond.
• Cleavage: imperfect by (100).
• Color of the line: white.
• Fracture: shell.
• Special properties: fragility.

Usually this mineral is radioactive - it contains impurities of thorium, uranium and rare earth elements.

Zircon, zirconium, cubic zirconium

Often the terms listed in the subheading cause confusion - many consider them synonymous. However, this is not the case at all - behind each concept there is an independent object:

• Zircon is a unique natural natural mineral of the most diverse colors and shades, forming irregularly shaped grains and single crystals, sometimes radially radiant coalescence. Its formula: ZrSiO ₄ .
• Zirconium is a metal having the designation Zr in the periodic table. As seen from the formula, it enters the crystal lattice of zircon.
• Cubic (cubic-stabilized) zirconium, better known as fianit. The English name Cubic Zirconia causes a lot of confusion. Fianit, unlike zircon, is an artificial, synthetic crystal. Its name, by the way, is an abbreviation of the institution where the "zirconium cube" was first grown - the Physics Institute of the Academy of Sciences. The formula of this artificial diamond is CZ (ZrO ₂ ).

Varieties of zircon

Looking at the color of the zircon in the photo, you can easily identify the variety of a particular mineral:

• Matar diamond (matura-diamond, matar-diamond). The name comes from the toponym, where these gems are mined (the region in Sri Lanka). The rarest zircon is absolutely transparent and colorless. In addition, the mineral has an almost diamond shine. Today, scientists have learned to receive Matarian diamonds by subjecting zircons of other species to special gamma radiation.
• Malacon. This is called zircon, which has a warm dark brown hue. Can be radioactive.
• Jargon (Siamese zircon - since it is mined in Thailand). Under this name are hidden crystals of piercing lemon color. Solar, smoky-yellow, straw-colored minerals are also quite appropriate to refer to jargons.
• Hyacinth. This gemstone-zircon is red, pink, crimson and even orange, brownish (Latin hyacinthus) color. The stones of such shades were named because of the similarity to the hyacinth petals.
• Yatsint. The name of zircons is orange-red.
• Starls. This is the name only of a stone that has been refined (by heating), which, as a result of the effects, gets a wonderful blue or blue color.
• Green zircon. Gem does not have a certain beautiful name; Its feature - can contain radioactive microparticles of uranium.

Zircon: how to distinguish a fake

Here are a few ways that will help determine the authenticity of the gem:

1. Most stones contain radioactive elements, so a device that shows the level of radiation can help you make the right choice.
2. Since zircon is most often given out by phianites, then remember that the natural gem has a much lower density than the artificial "zirconium cube", which is why it weighs less than a fake.
3. Zircon has the brilliance of a diamond, but it is produced by resinous shades of inclusions.
4. Unlike the same cubic zircon, transparent zircons are very rare. In addition, the Matar "diamonds" (transparent zircons) will not be homogeneous - in their body you will necessarily see small inclusions, voids, etc. But the artificial fianite is virgin clean, transparent and homogeneous.

Origin and deposits of zircons

The gem is of magmatic origin, found in the body of pegmatites, granites, syenites, etc. In igneous rocks, zircon plays the role of an accessory mineral. Since many crystals contain a sufficient number of radioactive microparticles, the latter, as a result of their disintegration, can destroy the structure of zircon, making it metamictic. If the enclosing zircon rocks are weathered, then the mineral can be found in placers.

The largest deposits of zircons are found in:

• Sri Lanka;
• Burma;
• Thailand;
• Viet Nam;
• Madagascar;
• Canada;
• USA;
• Brazil;
• Australia;
• Norway;
• Tanzania;
• Cambodia.

In Russia zircon is mined in Yakutia, the Urals and the Kola Peninsula.

Application of zircon

Let's list the main areas of production, where this wonderful gem is useful:

• Jewelcrafting. Alas, at the present time zircons are being replaced more and more often by artificial cubic zirconia. The reason is that the jargun, due to its low density, is a rather brittle material, which is why it is often damaged during processing. Therefore, connoisseurs of zircons prefer to buy antique jewelry, sparkling with natural gems.
• Manufacture of fire-resistant and fire-resistant structures.
• Used in industry as a source of zirconium, hafnium, uranium and valuable rare earth metals.
• Because of the high content of uranium in zircon crystals, the latter is used as a mineral to determine the age of rocks in the uranium-lead dating method.

Healing properties of gem

Ancient beliefs attribute the following amazing healing properties to the mineral:

• Jargon (yellow zircon) helps people suffering from heart, stomach, liver. Also, such stones are useful in kidney diseases - they supposedly help to remove excess fluid from the body.
• Earrings with zircon contribute to the fight against dry skin, small wrinkles, skin diseases.
• Starlit has a beneficial effect on having thyroid and pancreatic diseases and even helps to cure a brain tumor. Also, it is considered the best gift for dieters - the stone reduces appetite and struggles with excess weight.
• Zircon positively affects the pituitary gland, the work of the gastrointestinal tract, as a whole, charges a person with vivacity and helps achieve emotional balance.
• Products made of silver, zircon relieve insomnia, and sleeping - from nightmares.
• Hyacinth in antiquity was a contraceptive. The stone was heated and kept in the lower abdomen daily for 2-3 hours. The procedure was repeated for 8-10 days. But its success, however, nothing is known.

Zircon and Astrology

It is believed that zircon is a projective Ian, because the stone not only releases life-giving energy, but also activates it. The mineral acts on the parietal chakra - Sahasrara.

Crystal protects the bearer of the names of Nina and Anastasia. Born under the signs of the elements of water, earth, fire and air should choose the shade of their zircon-keeper, based on the color of the elements. The planet of the stone is Jupiter, therefore, to ward off its aggression, you should wear a bracelet or a ring with zircon on your left hand.

Stars are not advised to wear gems to Cancers and Aries, but for Sagittarians and Aquarius is the best purchase.

Magic properties of a stone

Two thousand years ago in the time of the poet Ovid, it was believed that zircon makes any woman attractive and sexy. Indian yoga practitioners argue that the gem in the literal sense of the word sates a person with life-giving bioenergy, overtaking all other stones by this property. Modern psychics think that amulets with zircon not only protect them from dark entities, but also increase magic power several times.

According to popular beliefs, the jargons bring their master wisdom and luck, and the ring with zircon not only protects from the evil eye and curses of enemies, but also helps to make a difficult decision - just touch the stone with your finger. Starlites are recognized guardians of travelers who help the latter to return safely home. It is also believed that it is zircon that can eliminate the discord between the soul and the body.

The Zircon rocket

Some people are known for "Zircon" and qualitatively of a different kind - the Russian anti-ship maneuvering hypersonic cruise missile. Its first test was carried out in 2016, and in 2017 it is planned to launch a serial production of such missiles. The Russian "Zircon" will be put into service in 2018, replacing them with the P-700 "Granite".

The missile has the following significant characteristics:

• Range of launch: 350-500 km;
• Speed: 8 sound speeds;
• Body length: 8-10 m;
• Guidance: self-guidance head + inertial navigation.

Zircon is a beautiful gem of eye-pleasing colors, striking with diamond shine. The crystal is used not only in jewelry, but also in other various industries. In addition to all its visible merits, folklore has given the mineral various magical and healing properties.