zircon
Sign in to saveZircon () is a mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates and is a source of the metal zirconium. Its chemical name is zirconium(IV) silicate, and its corresponding chemical formula is ZrSiO4. An empirical formula showing some of the range of substitution in zircon is (Zr1–y, REEy)(SiO4)1–x(OH)4x–y. Zircon precipitates from silicate melts and has relatively high concentrations of high field strength incompatible elements. For example, hafnium is almost always present in quantities ranging from 1 to 4%. The crystal structure of zircon is tetragonal crystal system. The natural color of zirc
AI overview
Zircon is a mineral that contains zirconium metal and has the chemical formula ZrSiO4, making it an important source of zirconium for industrial use. It forms naturally from molten rock and is valued for its ability to concentrate certain rare elements, including hafnium, which are difficult to find in high concentrations elsewhere.
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Key facts
- Mineral.caption
- A lustrous crystal of zircon perched on a tan matrix of calcite from the Gilgit District of Pakistan
- Mineral.formula
- zirconium silicate
- Mineral.IMAsymbol
- Zrn
- Mineral.strunz
- 9.AD.30
- Mineral.system
- Tetragonal
- Mineral.class
- Ditetragonal dipyramidal (4/mmm) H-M symbol: (4/m 2/m 2/m)
- Mineral.symmetry
- I41/amd (No. 141)
- Mineral.unit cell
- a = 6.607(1), c = 5.982(1) [Å]; Z = 4
- Mineral.color
- Reddish brown, yellow, green, blue, gray, colorless; in thin section, colorless to pale brown
- Mineral.boxbgcolor
- b56042
- Mineral.name
- Zircon
- Mineral.boxtextcolor
Article
11 sectionsContents
- Properties
- Applications
- Gemstone
- Occurrence
- Radiometric dating
- Similar minerals
- Gallery
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
{{Infobox mineral |boxbgcolor=#b56042| name = Zircon | boxtextcolor = #fff | category = Nesosilicates | image = Zircon-dtn1a.jpg | imagesize = 260px | caption = A lustrous crystal of zircon perched on a tan matrix of calcite from the Gilgit District of Pakistan | formula = zirconium silicate | IMAsymbol = Zrn | molweight = | strunz = 9.AD.30 | system = Tetragonal | class = Ditetragonal dipyramidal (4/mmm) H-M symbol: (4/m 2/m 2/m) | symmetry = I41/amd (No. 141) | unit cell = a = 6.607(1), c = 5.982(1) [Å]; Z = 4 | color = Reddish brown, yellow, green, blue, gray, colorless; in thin section, colorless to pale brown | habit = tabular to prismatic crystals, irregular grains, massive | twinning = On {101}. Crystals shocked by meteorite impact show polysynthetic twins on {112} | cleavage = {110} and {111} | fracture = Conchoidal to uneven | tenacity = Brittle | mohs = 7.5 | luster = Vitreous to adamantine; greasy when metamict. | refractive = nω = 1.925–1.961 nε = 1.980–2.015, 1.75 when metamict | opticalprop = Uniaxial (+) | birefringence = δ = 0.047–0.055 | pleochroism = Weak | streak = White | gravity = 4.6–4.7 | melt = | fusibility = close to 2,550 °C depend on Hf,Th,U,H,etc... concentrations. | diagnostic = | solubility = Insoluble | diaphaneity = Transparent to opaque | other = Fluorescent and 25px radioactive,May form pleochroic halos,Relief: high | references = }}
Zircon () is a mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates and is a source of the metal zirconium. Its chemical name is zirconium(IV) silicate, and its corresponding chemical formula is ZrSiO4. An empirical formula showing some of the range of substitution in zircon is (Zr1–y, REEy)(SiO4)1–x(OH)4x–y. Zircon precipitates from silicate melts and has relatively high concentrations of high field strength incompatible elements. For example, hafnium is almost always present in quantities ranging from 1 to 4%. The crystal structure of zircon is tetragonal crystal system. The natural color of zircon varies between colorless, yellow-golden, red, brown, blue, and green.