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Zircon
Zircon is a colourful gem with high refraction and fire that’s unfairly confused with cubic zirconia.
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GIA Gem Project
Zircon
Zircon
Although colourless when chemically pure, zircon is typically yellow-brown to brown. It also comes in red, blue, purple, and green. Because of its high brilliance and dispersion, colourless zircon has sometimes been used as a substitute for diamond in jewellery.
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Zircon Description
Zircon occurs in an array of colours. Its wide and varied palette of yellow, green, red, reddish brown and blue hues makes it a favourite among collectors as well as informed consumers.
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Zircon History and Lore
Many people have heard of zircon but never seen it. This is mostly because of colourless zircon’s wide use as a diamond simulant in the early 1900s.
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The Glory of Green Gems
Green gemstones, which can uplift and heal our spirits, have been popular gem choices ever since we began to adorn ourselves with jewellery.
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Gemstone Guidebook Project
A project coordinated by GIA and the NGO Pact provides a valuable educational tool to women miners in Tanzania.
Read MoreSpring 2000 Gem News International
A compilation of gem news from around the world, covering topics such as localities, unusual gem materials, market news, new products, discoveries, jewellery manufacturing techniques and industry trends.
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Chemical Analysis of Zircon
Trace-element analysis is used to identify metamictisation, treatment and growth conditions of zircon.
Read MoreWinter 2011 G&G Lab Notes
This section, from the Winter 2011 issue of Gems & Gemmology, is a compilation of interesting finds from GIA’s laboratories.
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Summer 2009 Gem News International
A compilation of gem news from around the world, covering topics such as localities, unusual gem materials, market news, new products, discoveries, jewellery manufacturing techniques and industry trends.
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