mineral

Zircon

Zirconium Silicate (ZrSiO₄)

Hardness: 7.5 on the Mohs scale. Color: range from colorless/champagne (like shown) to yellow, red, brown, or green. Luster: Adamantine to vitreous. Crystal structure: Tetragonal. Cleavage: Indistinct. Specific gravity: 4.6–4.7.

Hardness: 7
Luster: Adamantine to vitreous

Identified March 21, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed as a primary crystallization product in igneous rocks (specifically granite, pegmatites, and syenite) and metamorphic rocks. It is highly resistant to chemical erosion and can survive for billions of years, making it the oldest mineral on Earth.

Uses & applications

Primary source of zirconium metal and zirconium dioxide; used in nuclear reactors, high-temperature ceramics, and widely used as a gemstone in jewelry due to its high refractive index and 'fire'.

Geological facts

Zircon crystals from the Jack Hills in Australia are the oldest known materials formed on Earth, dating back 4.4 billion years. It should not be confused with Cubic Zirconia (CZ), which is a synthetic laboratory-created material.

Field identification & locations

Collectors identify it by its high luster and double refraction (doubling of facet edges). Common locations include Australia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, and Madagascar. In the field, look for high density and tetragonal prisms.