Zircon is at least 4.4 BILLION years old...the oldest material being found in Australia.
Due to it's high refractive index (ability to bend light) and strong dispersion, zircon has great brilliance and intensive fire. I have gotten parcels of mixed faceted gemstones, and you can easily identify the zircons as they look like they're lit up from inside. Truly beautiful.
Zircon is also one of the hardest gemstones, yet somewhat brittle, so care should be taken when wearing rings containing zircon. Great for necklaces and earrings!
Zircon colors include yellow, brown, orange, red violet, blue, green and colorless, and varying shades of all. I have some of each color, except green, but my favorite is a golden-brown "brandy" color that looks like it's smoldering inside.
Zircon can be found naturally in Cambodia, Thailand, Australia, Madagascar, Brazil, Korea, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sri-lanka, Vietnam and Tanzania. My personal faves are from Tanzania.
Zircon is the birthstone of December, and throughout the ages has been said to aid in sleep, bring prosperity, promote honor and wisdom in it's owner...and also helps varicose veins, blisters and testicle problems. (So guys... get some zircon-studded undies.)
You can even find zircon at onlineauction.com! Here is a whoppin' 10 CARAT blue zircon from judyb84
Click here to purchase this gorgeous stone!
6 comments:
Oh my, they are beautiful....I'll have all of them:)
I'm with SG... I want them all!
I Would love to see your collection, Curio.
Me, too!! Wow, you know a lot Curio!!
You certainly have a beautiful selection of color in those gems. Very nice blog and beautiful gem stones.
CurioC have you seen any of zircons as they come from the earth before cutting and polishing? Could you take a picture of a couple if you have any? I'm fascinated.
Zircons are, as are pretty much all rough gemstones, kinda blah before they get all gussied up with cutting, faceting and polishing. I love to go to rock and gem shows and watch people facet rough stones.. it's amazing, and takes some darn good equipment and a lot of skill. I'm amazed at how inexpensive many loose stones are when you consider all the work, and danger, of finding, mining, transporting, and processing them, then add in wholesalers and retailers... wow.
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