zircon
December birthstone mineral
Zircon is a mineral—a silicate of zirconium—that occurs naturally in various colors and is used as a gemstone.
Clear zircons can resemble diamonds and have been used as substitutes.
The word is sometimes confused with cubic zirconia, a synthetic material, but zircon is a natural stone.
Zircon crystals are also valued in geology for dating ancient rocks.
Plane on cut stone
- carat200 milligrams exactly
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
- fireCombustion with flames
- lusterSoft reflected light
cut · clarity · cabochon · pavilion · girdle · scintillation · loupe · gemology
Element ninety-two
- leadDense metal, symbol Pb
- datingPursuing romantic connections
- isotopesAtomic number twins
- decayGradual organic breakdown
half-life · geochronology · radioactive · Precambrian · Archean · Proterozoic · detrital · provenance
Emit flashing light
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
- fireCombustion with flames
- dispersionScattering across space
- scintillationRapid light variation
adamantine · luster · refraction · doubling · glitter · radiance · gleam · dazzle
Metalloid in electronics
- oxygenElement eight, colorless gas
- hardnessResistance to penetration
- igneousFormed from cooled magma
- metamorphicUndergoing structural change
sedimentary · placer · sand · refractory · ceramics · hafnium · insoluble · granite
Light-dispersing, multicolored
- silicateOxygen-bound crystal compound
- latticeOpenwork of crossed strips
- habitSettled regular tendency
- twinnedMade into a pair
bipyramidal · adamantine · translucent · refractive · cleavage · symmetry · morphology · inclusion
facet
Plane on cut stone
- carat200 milligrams exactly
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
- fireCombustion with flames
luster · cut · clarity · cabochon · pavilion · girdle · scintillation · loupe · gemology · hyacinth
uranium
Element ninety-two
decay · half-life · geochronology · radioactive · Precambrian · Archean · Proterozoic · detrital · provenance · craton
sparkle
Emit flashing light
- brillianceExceptional intelligence or luster
- fireCombustion with flames
- dispersionScattering across space
scintillation · adamantine · luster · refraction · doubling · glitter · radiance · gleam · dazzle
silicon
Metalloid in electronics
metamorphic · sedimentary · placer · sand · refractory · ceramics · hafnium · insoluble · granite · alluvial
prismatic
Light-dispersing, multicolored
twinned · bipyramidal · adamantine · translucent · refractive · cleavage · symmetry · morphology · inclusion · zonation
ring
Closed curve shape
bracelet · setting · prong · bezel · engagement · heirloom · goldsmith · craftsmanship · estate · Victorian
zircondiamond
Crystallized carbon gemstone
ruby · emerald · sapphire · Hope Diamond · Koh-i-Noor
- cubic zirconiaLab-made diamond simulant
- zirconium oxideRefractory ceramic compound