Zircon is a mineral belonging to the silicate group with the chemical formula ZrSiO4. It commonly forms in magmatic, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Zircon has a hardness of 7.5, is brittle with an adamantine luster, and can be colorless, brown, red, or green. It is uniaxial crystal that is pleochroic and has high surface relief. Zircon is an important ore of zirconium, hafnium, and sometimes thorium. It is commonly used as a gemstone and in jewelry due to its hardness and durability. Major sources of zircon include Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka

1. SUBMITTED BY:. SYED RASIB NAQVI
ROLL #:. 26
TOPIC:. STUDY OF ZIRCON

2. Zircon:.
 Is a mineral belonging to the group of Silicates, Nesosilicates. Its chemical name is
zirconium silicate and its corresponding chemical formula is ZrSiO4.
Environment:.
 Magmatic, metamorphic, pegmatitic, and alluvial rocks. Zircons are commonly slightly
radioactive due to trace amounts of uranium and make prime, geochron age indicators.

3. Properties of zircon:.
Cleavage: Indistinct
Color: Brown, Reddish brown, Colorless, Gray, Green.
Density: 4.6 - 4.7, Average = 4.65
Fracture: Uneven - Flat surfaces (not cleavage) fractured in an uneven pattern.
Luster: Adamantine
Streak: white
Hardness: 7.5 – Garnet
System: Tetragonal
Tenacity: Brittle
Transparency Transparent to opaque
Specific Gravity 4.6 - 4.8

4. Optical Data Of Zircon:.
Type: Uniaxial (+)
Surface Relief: Very High
Dispersion: Very strong
Pleochroism: Weak

5. Varieties of zircon:.
 Jacinth: Yellow, orange, brown, or red variety of Zircon. Also
synonymous with Hyacinth.
 Jargon: Colorless, pale gray, or pale yellow variety of Zircon.
 Matura Diamond: Trade name for colorless Zircon.
 Starlite: Blue gem variety of Zircon. The color of Starlite is rarely
natural, and is almost always heat treated.

6. Occurrence:.
 Zircon is a common accessory to trace mineral constituent of most granite and felsic
igneous rocks.
 Zircon is rare within mafic rocks and very rare within ultramafic rocks
 Due to its hardness, durability and chemical inertness, zircon persists in sedimentary
deposits and is a common constituent of most sands.
Zircon Sources:.
 Zircon sources include Cambodia, Burma (Myanmar), Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Australia,
Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

7. Uses
 Zircon is an important gemstone, with several color forms used in various forms of
jewelry.
 Zircon is also the most significant ore of the element zirconium, and it is also the most
important ore of the rare element hafnium, which can be present in considerable
quantities in Zircon.
 In several localities, Zircon is also an ore of the radioactive element thorium.
 Zircon of all colors are used as gems, but blue, golden-brown, and white are the colors
most often used.

8. Similar Gemstones:.
Because Zircon occurs in so many colors, there are many gemstones that resemble it.
 Colorless Zircon resembles Diamond.
 Blue Zircon can be similar to Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, Blue Tourmaline, and Blue
Spinel;
 Golden-brown Zircon can be similar to Topaz, Citrine, and Sapphire; Yellow zircon can
be similar to Yellow Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Golden Beryl, Chrysoberyl, and Topaz
 Pink Zircon can be similar to Rose Quartz, Morganite, Kunzite, Spinel, and Pink Topaz.

9. Mining areas in Pak of Zircon:.
 In Gilgit Baltistan mining area is Chillas.
 Baluchistan mining area is chagai.
 Also the Sindh and tribal areas of Pak zircon is reported.

10. Thank You