Z
ZIRCON
The name “Zircon” was first used in 1794 and was a vague term used for high-quality diamond-like gemstones. The German word " “Zirkon” may have came from the 18 century French “jargon” which was a vague mineral word used of high-quality diamond-like gemstones. The name “Zircon” might also have roots in the Arabic word “zargun/zarkun”, meaning “bright or dark red”. Or the Ancient Persian word “zargun”, meaning “gold-colored”. The blue zircon was also known as "Starlite Zircon".
Blue Zircon gets its color from uranium. Today, the most sought-after color of Zircon is sky blue. Heat treatment became a customary practice in the 1920s and is still common. All blue zircon is presumed heat treated. Heat treatment is used to enhance or change the color of the zircon. Zircon can return to its natural color. It is rarely fracture-filled. The Moh’s hardness of Blue Zircon is 6.5 to 7.5. The Zodiac sign associated is Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
Blue Zircon can be found in Australia, India, Brazil, Cambodia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Norway, Germany, New Zealand, Russia, Southeast Asia, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, and the United States of America (Florida, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina).
In 1952, The American Gem Society replaced lapis lazuli with blue zircon as an official birthstone of December. Blue Zircon is the stone for the 4th and 49th Wedding Anniversaries. Blue Zircon is associated with the zodiac signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius.
During the Middle Ages (5th to 15th centuries) in Medieval Europe zircon was used as a talisman to ward off evil and bring prosperity to the household. During this time it was also believed that Zircon could induce sound sleep, heal madness, reduce temptation, improve intelligence, and bring prosperity and wisdom.
During the Victorian Era, from the 1880s, Blue Zircon was the favorite color. During the 19th century it was faceted and worn by British aristocrats in jewelry. In the early 20th century, it was used as an alternative to diamond. George Kunz, Tiffany’s famed gem buyer, was a notable zircon advocate.
Blue Zircon has historically been associated with virtue, prosperity, wisdom, intuition, healing, grounding, ward off evil, optimism, and balance one physically, emotionally, and spiritually .
Today Blue Zircon is known as the "Stone of Virtue" and is said to strengthen the bonds between partners and create a harmonious connection. Blue Zircon is also associated with spiritual wisdom, inner peace, serenity, inspiration, clarity, abundance, wealth, grounding, tranquility, communication, and self-expression. It is said to help one articulate thoughts and emotions.
Care:
Resists heat and chemicals. Can withstand extreme temperatures. Ultrasonics and Steamers are not recommended. Use warm, soapy water to clean.
Blue heat-treated zircon’s color will fade over time when exposed to sunlight. Long-wave ultraviolet radiation (LWUV) exposure (UV lamp from a tanning bed or one for curing acrylic fingernails) for less than 6 minutes can return blue zircons back to their original brown coloring. If left for a week in the dark and then exposed to a 22w incandescent lamp for about 20 minutes, it may restore the blue color.