zircon

[ zur-kon ]

noun

1. a common mineral, zirconium silicate, ZrSiO 4 , occurring in small tetragonal crystals or grains of various colors, usually opaque: used as a refractory when opaque and as a gem when transparent.

zircon

/ ˈzɜːkɒn /

noun

1. a reddish-brown, grey, green, blue, or colourless hard mineral consisting of zirconium silicate in tetragonal crystalline form with hafnium and some rare earths as impurities. It occurs principally in igneous rocks and is an important source of zirconium, zirconia, and hafnia: it is used as a gemstone and a refractory. Formula: ZrSiO 4

zircon

/ zûr′kŏn′ /

1. A brown, reddish to bluish, gray, green, or colorless tetragonal mineral that occurs in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, and especially in sand. The colorless varieties are valued as gems. Chemical formula: ZrSiO 4 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of zircon¹

First recorded in 1785–95; from German Zirkon, apparently ultimately from Italian giargone; jargon ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of zircon¹

C18: from German Zirkon, from French jargon, via Italian and Arabic, from Persian zargūn golden

Example Sentences

In mineralogy, the term is applied to crystallised yellow or brown zircon.

From Project Gutenberg

Zircon is also the source of oxide of zirconium used in making mantles for certain incandescent lights.

From Project Gutenberg

Other minerals, except apatite, zircon and magnetite, are typically absent.

From Project Gutenberg

Jargon or Zircon is a stone having a superficial resemblance to a diamond.

From Project Gutenberg

Zircon is itself a species of mineral and is a silicate of zirconium.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gem
• jewel
• rhinestone