Where is zircon found?
Zircon is widespread as an accessory mineral in felsic igneous rocks. It also occurs in metamorphic rocks and, fairly often, in detrital deposits. It occurs in beach sands in many parts of the world, particularly Australia, India, Brazil, and Florida, and is a common heavy mineral in sedimentary rocks.
What is zircon used for?
Today this element is widely used, as zircon, as Zirconium oxide and as the metal itself. Zirconium is to be found in ceramics, foundry equipment, glass, chemicals, and metal alloys. Zircon sand is used for heat-resistant linings for furnaces, for giant ladles for molten metal, and to make foundry moulds.
Is zircon sand toxic?
Crystalline silica is a known cause of lung fibrosis (silicosis). It has also has been classified as a human carcinogen. (International Agency for Research on Cancer). Zircon Sand contains a small amount of free quartz, (up to 0.5 %) and precautions should be taken to avoid inhaling the dust.
Is zircon a mineral sand?
Zirconium silicate, commonly known as Zircon, is one of two core product streams of mineral sands, which is a relatively small volume industry within the resources sector.
What is zircon worth?
Prices depend on color saturation, clarity and size. Fine saturated blues in sizes over 10 carats are typically $300 to $400 per carat, while high quality stones in the 5 to 10 carat size sell for $200 to $300 per carat.
Where is zircon sand found?
The majority of zircon sand is mined in Australia and the African continent. Current annual global production is in excess of one million tonnes. Almost half of the zircon produced globally is consumed by China, with other significant consuming regions including Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and India.
How can you tell real zircon?
In a piece that big, there ought to be clear doubling of the back edges of the stone as viewed through one axis (the C axis). So if you turn the stone all around and don’t see any doubling or blurry edges looking thru it, it can’t be zircon.
How can you tell if a stone is a zircon?
The most obvious way to distinguish a zircon presented as a substitute diamond from an actual diamond is by the former’s birefringence. Zircon’s high birefringence makes this 4.57-ct round brilliant-cut stone appear fuzzy.
Are zircons worth anything?
How can you tell if a zircon is real?
Identifying Characteristics. The most obvious way to distinguish a zircon presented as a substitute diamond from an actual diamond is by the former’s birefringence. Zircon’s high birefringence makes this 4.57-ct round brilliant-cut stone appear fuzzy.