Sign In

Sign Up
English speaking customer support only
1-800-464-1640
Change Language
- English
- Français
- Español
- Italiano
- Deutsch
- Pусский
- 中文
- 日本語
- العربية
- Português
- 한국인
USD
Change Currency
- EUR = Euro
- GBP = British Pound
- USD = U.S. Dollar
- AED = United Arab Emirates Dirham
- AUD = Australian Dollar
- BHD = Bahraini Dinar
- BND = Brunei Dollar
- CAD = Canadian Dollar
- CHF = Swiss Franc
- CNY = Chinese Yuan
- CZK = Czech Koruna
- DKK = Danish Krone
- EGP = Egyptian Pound
- EUR = Euro
- GBP = British Pound
- HKD = Hong Kong Dollar
- IDR = Indonesian Rupiah
- ILS = Israeli New Shekel
- INR = Indian Rupee
- IQD = Iraqi Dinar
- JOD = Jordanian Dinar
- JPY = Japanese Yen
- KRW = South Korean Won
- KWD = Kuwaiti Dinar
- MXN = Mexican Peso
- MYR = Malaysian Ringgit
- NOK = Norwegian Krone
- NZD = New Zealand Dollar
- OMR = Omani Rial
- PHP = Philippine Piso
- PLN = Polish Złoty
- QAR = Qatari Riyal
- RUB = Russian Ruble
- SAR = Saudi Riyal
- SEK = Swedish Krona
- SGD = Singapore Dollar
- TWD = New Taiwan Dollar
- USD = U.S. Dollar
- VND = Vietnamese Dồng
- ZAR = South African Rand

Gemstones
Gemstones By Color
Gemstones By Color
Popular Gemstones
Popular Gemstones
- Sapphire
- Topaz
- Amethyst
- Emerald
- Citrine
- Ruby
- Tourmaline
- Garnet
- Tanzanite
- Aquamarine
- Opal
- Zircon
New Arrivals
Gems By Price
Pairs
Lots
Calibrated
Birthstones
Birthstones

By Gavin Clarke Reviewed By Andreas Zabczyk Nov 13, 2009 Updated Aug 21, 2017

About Green Zircon, Low Zircon & Metamict Zircon

Zircon is an unusual gemstone on a number of counts. Often confused with cubic zirconia, a made-made synthetic diamond substitute, natural zircon is actually the oldest mineral on Earth. In fact, according to samples found in Australia, researchers discovered that the material dates back from more than 4.4 billion years ago, even older than the moon itself. Zircon is of such important interest to geoscientists, it has spawned its own discipline known as 'zirconology'.

Another unusual thing about zircon is that its gemological properties exhibit very wide ranges. For example, if you look at zircon's values for hardness, specific gravity (density) and refractive index, you'll notice that the ranges are very wide. Gemological resources list zircon as having a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5; a density of 3.93 to 4.73; and a refractive index of 1.810 to 2.024.

Crystal Structure of Zircon

The reason for the wide variation is that there is so-called low zircon and high zircon, with the high zircon having values at the top of the range. Low zircon - that with lower density, hardness and refractive index - forms as a result of a unique process associated with the presence of uranium and thorium. The natural radioactivity of these elements disrupts the crystal structure, thus causing changes in color and density. These changes take place over a long period of time through a process known as metamictization.

Shop Natural Zircon
Click to Enlarge Image

This so-called metamict zircon is always green or brown in color. Though externally it looks much like normal zircon, internally it has lost its crystal structure and has become isotropic glass. Though the metamictization process lowers a mineral's refractive index, hardness and specific gravity, it does not, curiously, affect the mineral's brilliance, dispersion or fire.

The green metamict zircon is quite rare and is prized by collectors. Some samples still emit low levels of radiation. The loss of crystal structure often makes the metamict specimens darker and cloudier, and some samples may be heated to lighten the color. Experiments have shown that prolonged heating can result in substantial recrystallization. Of all the many different varieties of colored stones available today, zircon is prized for its remarkable brilliance and fire.

Sri Lanka is the best known source for green metamict zircon, although low zircon specimens are also found in Burma, and may also exist in other well-known zircon deposits located throughout Cambodia. Cambodia and Southeast Asia are the important sources for fine zircon today, particularly when it comes to material suitable for the making of heat-treated blue zircon, which has become one of the most popular blue gemstones choices over recent years.

About Us

Gemstone Information Sign up for our Newsletter

Overall Rating -> 10

You were the only site that had the color gems with oval cut in sizes 6mm to 4mm that I could find and it was very easy to find them with your search tool!

Posted By Streetdonuts in February, 2023

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 8

1st time buy. The experience to date has been easy.

Posted By Q in December, 2022

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

I like it

Posted By Swan in February, 2023

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

I have been here before, so I know how the site works. I enjoy looking at the gems and buying some. The site functions well.

Posted By Bugs in June, 2022

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

I was very happy with the simplicity and prices of gemselect.com. the sites filters and navigation style made it simple to find exactly what I was looking for. I will definitely be buying from gemselect ago. Compared to other online stone sellers, the prices and availability of gemselect was amazing.

Posted By Jl1996 in November, 2022

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

Had many items to pick from and the pricing was very good. I look forward to shopping with you again.

Posted By Jackson in September, 2022

Source: Bizrate

Overall Rating -> 10

I particularly like information about product provided with purchase.

Posted By Dick in May, 2023

Source: Bizrate

Zircon Info

Zircon Information - A gemstone as old as the earth itself ...