Buying Zircon: Price, Color, Origin & Value – Investment Gemstone

Buy Zircon – Zircon is a popular gemstone that comes in almost every color and is often used as a diamond substitute. The color of zircon can be changed by heat, and you can usually find the gemstone as a round or oval faceted cut. The gemstone is used as a jewelry stone, but also as a dental substitute or to make ceramics, glass, and steel. Zircon is the oldest mineral on earth and rare specimens have a very high value.

Gemstone Zircon: The oldest mineral on earth

The zircon forms its own mineral group. To make its sparkle stand out, zircon is usually made into a round or oval faceted cut. Colorless zircon is sometimes used as a less expensive alternative to diamond. Zircon should not be confused with cubic zirconia, as cubic zirconia is a synthetically produced stone that is used in inexpensive costume jewelry. The hardness of zircon varies from 6.5 – 7.5. Zircon is the oldest mineral found on earth to date, with some crystals found in Australia estimated to be over 4.4 billion years old!

• Own mineral group
• Mostly round or oval facet cut
• Hardness: 6.5-7.5
• Oldest mineral on earth

Origin of the zircon: From Antarctica to Nigeria

Zircon in one form or another is found on every continent including Antarctica, but larger gem quality zircon crystals have been produced from alluvial deposits in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam for hundreds of years. More recently, gem deposits have been mined in Australia, South America, Nigeria, Madagascar, and wherever pegmatite rocks are found.

• Antarctica
• Sri Lanka
• Cambodia
• Myanmar
• Vietnam
• Australia
• South America
• Nigeria
• Madagascar

Value of zircon: quality factors

There are four quality factors that determine the value of a zircon, namely color, weight in carats, clarity and cut. The most sought-after colors in zircon are blue, red and green. The value of a gemstone is mostly determined by its weight. The unit of measurement is the carat (ct), where one carat is approximately 0.2 grams. A zircon usually weighs more than other gemstones of its size.

Also, the zircon is usually very eye clean. Gemstones with noticeable inclusions are less valuable. Zircons are usually processed into a round or oval facet cut, as this particularly emphasizes its shimmer.

• Most valuable colors: Blue, red and green
• Weight: Zircon is heavier than average
• Zircon is usually very eye clean
• Mostly round or oval facet cut

Price of a carat of zircon

Although some varieties of zircon are much rarer than diamonds, the prices of these stones are generally much more affordable. This means that you can get an amazing stone for a good price, making zircon a great option for jewelry.

Zircon can cost anywhere from $50 to $400 per carat depending on the quality factors of the stone. You need to evaluate the stone and make sure it is worth the asking price. Also, the richer the color the more expensive the gemstone.

• White: $24
• Strong dark red: $26
• Yellow: $26
• Orange: $28
• Light orange: $30
• Light green: $41
• Green yellow: $44
• Blue/Green: $52
• Dark green: $53
• Blue light: $56
• Purple: $67
• Blue medium: $103
• Royal blue : $151

Jewellery: ring, necklace or bracelet?

Zircon is a popular gemstone because it comes in a variety of appealing colors. Blue is the most popular zircon color and about 80% of zircons sold today are blue. Zircon is especially popular as a gemstone because the mineral can rival diamonds in terms of luster.

It is also interesting to know that zircon is not only used as a decorative stone, but can also be used as a dental prosthesis. Zircons contain minute traces of radioactive elements such as uranium, thorium and strontium. However, the alpha radiation emitted by these elements is extremely low and also completely harmless.

• About 80% of the zircons sold are blue
• Shines like a diamond
• Zircon can also be used as a dental prosthesis
• Low radioactive radiation

Care of the zircon: for long durability

It is best to store gemstones and jewelry separately to avoid scratches and breakage. When storing zircon gemstones, it is advisable to wrap them in a soft cloth or place them in a cloth-lined box. Always remove jewelry when you are doing any type of physical activity, including housework, sports, or exercise. When not worn, it is recommended to keep the zircons out of direct sunlight and away from strong heat sources, as this could alter the coloration.

Simply wipe your zircons with a soft cloth or brush, or wash them as needed with a mild soap or detergent and rinse with warm water. Avoid steam cleaners or ultrasonic cleaners when cleaning zircon gemstones and jewelry.

• Separate storage
• Storage in a cloth or box
• Protect from sunlight or strong heat sources
• Wipe with a soft cloth or brush
• Wash with mild soap or detergent
• Do not clean with steam jet or ultrasonic cleaner

Color of zircon: Red, Blue, Yellow & Green

Zircon comes in a wide range of colors from yellow, orange, red, brown to blue and colorless. There are three types of zircon, each with a different color. High zircon is mainly pinkish orange, blue, brown and colorless and medium zircon is more reddish yellow, green and greenish brown. Low zircon comes in various shades of green. The colourless and blue but also red and yellow zircons are mostly obtained by firing brownish varieties. The green zircons are very rare and especially sought after by collectors.

• High zircon: pink-orange, blue, brown and colourless
• Middle zircon: reddish-yellow, green and greenish-brown
• Deep zircon: Green tones