Zircon? Isn't that like that CZ stuff, like cubic zirconium? It's not real, right?
Poor Zircon.. Blue zircon specifically because let's face it, that is the prettiest color it comes in. Zircon is there sparkling with its bright electric blue color and yet it never seems to catch on with the mainstream jewelry shoppers. I think most of it has to do with its naturally unappealing name. No one seems to want to buy something called a "Zircon"(except for those of us who are jewelry/gem nerds).
Let me answer those questions asked earlier for you:
Yes it is a Natural gemstone from the Earth.
No it has nothing to do with CZ(cubic zirconium).
And yes, it is beautiful AND valuable. It is also December's birthstone. It is mined in Australia and is Earth's OLDEST mineral at a whopping 4.4 billion years old. Blue is not the only color this lovely gem appears in. You can also find it in red, green, yellow, and even colorless. One of it's most unique features to me is how it disperses light. You know when you look into a well cut diamond and you see flashes of red, green, and blue as it moves around in the light? That is due to DISPERSION. Most colored gemstones don't throw these multi-colored flashes of fire at you the way a diamond does, BUT the zircon puts on a performance very similar. Basically it is two of my favorite things: the color blue, and sparkle. Not a bad combination.
Is Zircon treated? Yes, when you see the blue variety, it has been heated to being out that blue color. But remember this is a widely accepted practice. In fact, heat treatment in a Zircon can actually help heal it's crystal structure where it might have experience natural radiation in the earth.
In conclusion, I hope you can walk away from this article with a newfound appreciation for this very underappreciated gem. And if you find yourself desiring such a gem. do reach out to your favorite friendly gemologist(*me*).
Best Regards,
Alayna Jones
*photos from GIA Edu and JupiterGems