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Zircon: John Anderson V. Hernandez 11-JOBS

This document provides information about the mineral zircon, including its chemical formula, typical colors, crystal structure, physical properties like hardness and density, and common crystal forms. Key points include that zircon is a zirconium silicate mineral that commonly appears in dark brown but also in many colors, has a tetragonal crystal system, and can occur as stubby crystals, prismatic crystals, or rounded pebbles. Some zircon may also contain radioactive elements or undergo changes in color or luster with heat treatment or sunlight exposure.

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Anderson Hernandez
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91 views2 pages

Zircon: John Anderson V. Hernandez 11-JOBS

This document provides information about the mineral zircon, including its chemical formula, typical colors, crystal structure, physical properties like hardness and density, and common crystal forms. Key points include that zircon is a zirconium silicate mineral that commonly appears in dark brown but also in many colors, has a tetragonal crystal system, and can occur as stubby crystals, prismatic crystals, or rounded pebbles. Some zircon may also contain radioactive elements or undergo changes in color or luster with heat treatment or sunlight exposure.

Uploaded by

Anderson Hernandez
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© © All Rights Reserved
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JOHN ANDERSON V.

HERNANDEZ
11-JOBS
ZIRCON

Zircon is a well-known mineral that makes an important gemstone of


of many colors. Its brilliantluster and fire, combined with
good hardness, make it a desirable gem. Natural Zircon with good
color and transparency is uncommon; most Zircon crystals are opaque
and brownish. However, most Zircon gemstones, especially the blue
and white forms, are enhanced by heat treatment. 

Zircon often contains traces of radioactive elements in its structure,


which causes it to bemetamict. This unstable form of Zircon,
called Cyrtolite, is characterized by rounded, almost dome-shaped
crystals which are dull or pitchy in luster. When heated,
these metamict Zircon crystals become stable, and revert to their
normal crystal structure. Radioactive Zircon that has undergone
a metamiction process is sometimes called "Low Zircon",
and stable Zircon with an intact crystal lattice "High Zircon".

The dark brown to black color observed in most Zircon crystals is


caused from iron oxide impurities. The green coloring in many rounded
pebbles usually indicates the Zircon is radioactive variety. An
interesting habit occasionally exhibited in Zircon from a few localities is
that their color darkens and their luster dulls upon prolonged exposure
to sunlight. This effect can be reversed by giving the stones a
second heat treatment.
JOHN ANDERSON V. HERNANDEZ
11-JOBS

PROPERTIES OF ZIRCON
Chemical
ZrSiO4
Formula
Composition Zirconium silicate, often with some hafnium and occasionally with some
uranium, thorium, and yttrium. It can contain up to 20 percent of hafnium in
its structure; if it exceeds that amount then it is no longer Zircon
but Hafnon.
Variable (Zr,Hf)SiO4 ;
Formula (Zr,Hf,U,Th,Y)SiO4
Color The most common color is dark brown. Also black, gray, light brown,
brownish-red, orange, pink, yellow, light blue, light green, light purple white,
and colorless. Sometimes multicolored black and dark red, or multicolored
with lighter and darker streaks.
Streak Colorless
Hardness 7.5
Crystal System Tetragonal
3D Crystal Atlas
(Click for animated model) 

Crystal Forms  As short and stubby crystals, as well as prismatic which are sometimes


and Aggregates elongated. Crystals are almost always terminated with
a pyramidal termination. Crystals may be doubly terminated, and
occasionally entirely pyramidal resembling an octahedron. Also grainy,
as fibrous aggregates, and as rounded, waterworn pebbles. Twinned Zircon
crystals are uncommon but do exist. Crystals can also be in
a metamict where they exhibit rounded crystal faces.
Transparency Transparent to opaque
Specific Gravity 4.6 - 4.8
Luster Greasy to adamantine. Radioactive Zircon has a pitchy luster.
Cleavage 3,2
Fracture Conchoidal to uneven
Tenacity Brittle
Other ID Marks May be fluorescent orange-yellow in shortwave ultraviolet light.

In Group Silicates; Nesosilicates
Striking
Crystal shape, hardness, and weight
Features

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