This December birthstone is a beautiful gemstone but unfortunately misunderstood because of high similarity with other stones and laboratory created imitations. There exists high possibility of buyers getting befooled by these similarities between the stones and man made imitations. Thus, this article provides facts and buying tips about the gemstone enabling the buyer to make a genuine purchase.

Colour - It is found in varied colours like brown, red, yellow, gray, green, blue, black and colorless. It occurs in different colours due to change in the impurities in the chemical composition like black and brown colour appears because of the presence of iron oxide impurity. Depending on the colour it is divided into five varieties.
Varieties - There are many different variations of this gemstone. Thus, to identify each variation distinctively it is categorized into five varieties.

Jacinth - It is also called as 'Hyacinth'. This variety is transparent and occurs in bright red, brown, orange and yellow colours. The different shades for this stone are orange-yellow, orange-red, reddish-yellow or yellow-brown. It is having great religious reference in Bible. This bright stone is found in very small sizes as pebbles. It not large enough to be cut into different shapes and styles. Therefore, it is used in its natural form.

It is believed to develop the self-esteem of its wearer. It was considered as the traveler's amulet that protects him from all sickness and evils during the long journey. Today the astrologers associate it with having a safe journey through airplane and comfortable stay at hotels.

Starlite - 'Siam Zircon' is the additional name for this variety. It is blue in colour. At present this Zircon variety is treasured most thus is priced maximum among all the varieties. It is very popular in jewelry due to its amazing sparkle. It contains high dispersion hence cutter are able to cut it very well in new shapes and styles.

Matura Diamond - It is also know as 'Ceylon'. It is colourless. It had been popular for many years as it consists of sharp brilliance and close resemblance with the precious stone 'Diamond' in luster and fire due to high refractive index. It is even sold as a diamond imitation but still is valuable for those who cannot afford a real diamond, as it possesses same sparkle and look.

Jargon - It also spelled as Jargoon. It is colourless to pale gray or pale yellow in colour. These are mostly heat treated to produce blue colour stones.

Cyrtolite - It is unstable variety with traces of radioactive elements like uranium and thorium in its chemical structure. It can easily resist extreme weather conditions. These are heat treated to gain stability and normal crystal system. During this process the colour, luster and transparency state of the stone changes. It is green or black in colour.

Clarity - It contains adamantine luster and is transparent to translucent in nature. This unique stone is rich in inclusions and flaws. Few stones are found clean as well but such stones occur rarely.

Cut - Cutting is not easy for this stone as it is found in small sizes. However, with the technology advancements, it can be cut brilliantly. The cutters create all the common shapes and cuts like round, pear, heart, oval, marquise etc. Emerald cut is the most preferred cut for the coloured varieties of Zircon.

Carat weight - Being a heavy gemstone it appears small when compared with other gemstones of same carat weight. It occurs in small crystal form. Large sizes are very rare. Jewelry items like rings, earrings and pendants can use stone between 2-4 carat weight.

Price - It is a rare stone but still a common man can easily afford it. This attractive gemstone is priced moderately. Clear stones without any flaws or inclusions would cost more. Clear red and blue are priced most. Green colour Zircon is very rare and very much in demand these days thus, it fetches a high price. Price per single stone is determined by the carat weight of the stone. Enhanced or heat treated stones costs less as compared with the natural stones.

Occurrence - Igneous rocks are the major source of this gemstone. Sometimes it is also found in metamorphic rocks and alluvial deposits in sedimentary rocks. It occurs in form of small crystals or grains that are distributed widely in the rock mass. It is also found in the form of rounded, water worn pebbles but rarely in large sizes.

Alta Fjord, Seiland Island in Norway, the Tyrol in Austria, the Eifel Mountains of Germany and the Ural Mountains of Russia are the famous localities to produce this gemstone. It is found in beach sands in many countries namely Queensland in Australia, India, Brazil and Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia in United States. As rounded water worn stones, it is procured from Ceylon in Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam, Cambodia, New Zealand and Thailand. Large crystals comes from Quebec, Jaguaracu, Bancroft, Dunngannonand, Ontario in Canada, Pocos de Caldas & Minas Gerais in Brazil. It is also found in Pakistan, Sudbury, Kampuchea, Nigeria, Tanzania and France.

Enhancements - Colorless and red colored stones are heat treated or irradiated to create attractive blue and golden colored stones. Yellow colored stone is sometimes enhanced to improve the colour. Any form of enhancement done through heat treatment is harmful for this gemstone as it makes the stone more fragile and it tends to chip off more.

Imitations - Cubic zirconia, laboratory-grown diamond imitation, is sold as the third variety of Zircon. It is an altered form of the mineral baddeleyite, whose chemical composition is zirconium oxide. Synthetic coloured stones like synthetic Spinel are also sold in the name of this gemstone. Buyers need to be careful from these man made creations while making the purchase. .

Uses - It plays a vital role in the geological discoveries. It is an important ore of zirconium, rare element hafnium and radioactive element thorium. Since thousands of years it is been used for making fabulous jewelry pieces. It can be made of 14K or 18K yellow gold or white gold and sterling silver. Colored Zircon are very well paired with real Diamonds especially blue colour in either prong or bezel setting. While buying any jewelry, buyers need to ensure the setting is done well so that it holds the stones tightly. It is also quite commonly seen in antique jewelry.

Precautions - It is a hard stone as it rated 7.5 Mohs on the hardness scale. In spite of bearing high hardness it is prone to getting chipped off from the edges/facets. Therefore, it has to be protected from sharp blows and scratches. Even the sellers wrap each single stone in individual paper so that no two stones knock one another in the same packet. Thus, the gems and its jewelry must be kept in a separate jewelry box consisting of many sections to accommodate all the items.

This tough yet delicate stone has to be kept away from the sunlight as the ultra violet rays can cause change in colour of the stone and deteriorate its luster too. In the same way exposure to excessive heat must be avoided as it makes the stone more brittle and facets of the stone might abrade more. Hot water and sudden temperature changes would also ruin the stone in every aspect. It should also be protected from harsh chemicals and acids present in cosmetics and cleaning agents. Thus, instead of wearing its jewelry on a daily basis, wear it occasionally for functions and ceremonies. It should be cleaned only with a soft cloth.

Beliefs - In ancient times it was said that if this gemstone looses its luster then it implies some danger or mishappening. It is believed to bring prosperity, honor and wisdom to its possessor. It also aids in curing insomnia and other sleep related problems. It offers peace of mind.

Characteristics like incredible luster, versatile colours, brilliant cut and excellent durability makes it one of the most desirable gemstones. All over the world, gemstone lovers wish to acquire all the available variations of this exquisite semi precious gemstone. Zircon deserves a sincere buying thought. What say !!

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