Zircon
| Colour | Clear, Brown, Blue, Red, Yellow, Green, Gray |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 7.5 |
| Lustre | Vitreous to adamantine; greasy when metamict |
| Streak | White |
| Crystal system | Tetragonal |
| Transparency | Transparent to opaque |
| Cleavage | {110} and {111} |
| Fracture | Conchoidal to uneven |
| Chemical formula | zirconium silicate |
| Specific gravity | 4.6–4.7 |
What is Zircon?
Zircon is a mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates and is a source of the metal zirconium. Its chemical name is zirconium(IV) silicate, and its corresponding chemical formula is ZrSiO4. An empirical formula showing some of the range of substitution in zircon is (Zr1–y, REEy)(SiO4)1–x(OH)4x–y. Zircon precipitates from silicate melts and has relatively high concentrations of high field strength incompatible elements. For example, hafnium is almost always present in quantities ranging from 1 to 4%. The crystal structure of zircon is tetragonal crystal system. The natural color of zircon
How to identify Zircon
- Lustre: Vitreous to adamantine; greasy when metamict.
- Hardness: Mohs 7.5 — hard enough to scratch glass.
- Streak: White.
- Habit: Tetragonal crystal system.
Zircon value
Zircon is a fine gemstone priced per carat by quality — colour, clarity, cut, carat and origin — not by weight in grams. Typical market ranges:
| Quality | Price per carat |
|---|---|
| Commercial | $10–$80 / ct |
| Good | $75–$200 / ct |
| Fine | $200–$500 / ct |
| Top | $300–$1,500 / ct |
Ranges cross-validated across two independent research passes against gemstone price guides, 2026-06 — sources: gia.edu, ajsgem.com. Colour saturation, clarity, cut and origin move the price enormously, and treatments or lab-grown stones sell for a fraction — so this is a guide, not an appraisal. Have anything valuable checked by a certified gemmologist. See the full crystal & gemstone value guide.
