Zircon
Real mineral · uncommon · ZrSiO₄
One of the oldest minerals on Earth, with crystals dating back 4.4 billion years. Contains trace uranium and thorium, allowing precise radiometric dating. Its high refractive index produces exceptional brilliance when faceted.
Identity
- Formula
- ZrSiO₄
- Chemical class
- silicate
- Also known as
- Hyacinth (red-orange variety), Jargon (yellow-gray variety)
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- tetragonal
- Habits
- prismatic, pyramidal
- Fracture
- conchoidal
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 7.5
- Density
- 4.7 g/cm³
- Luster
- adamantine, vitreous
- Colors
- colorless, red, orange, yellow, brown, blue, green
- Streak
- white
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
Geology
- Origins
- igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary
- Host rocks
- granite, gneiss, pegmatite
- Associated minerals
- feldspar, Quartz, Mica, Tourmaline
- Geography
- Australia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam
Classification
- Rarity
- uncommon
- Gem quality
- Yes
Arcane properties
- Affinity
- time, arcane
- Effects
- time, scrying
- Planar origin
- Material Plane
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