Legends in the Middle Ages said zircon was used to aid with sleep, bring about prosperity and promote wisdom. Today, Zircon is often confused with the synthetic cubic zirconia, but many do not realize this gemstone is its own marvelous mineral species, available in a wide range of colors.

Blue zircon is by far the most in demand yet is relatively affordable in large carat sizes. Its color is almost always the result of heat treatment, and most stones are relatively free of inclusions. This stone has a similar dispersion to a diamond and is doubly refractive, which makes it best suited for brilliant cutting styles that allow its luster and fire to shine. Often quite brittle and prone to abrasion, zircon should be worn with care. In 2014, a fragment of a zircon crystal tested in Australia was determined to be the oldest rock fragment ever found on Earth. Scientists believe it is approximately 4.4 billion years old. The largest sources of gem quality zircon mined today are in Thailand, Cambodia and Sri Lanka.

Blue zircon is the birthstone for December.


Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam (specifically blue zircons)
Blue to Green-Blue
7.0 to 7.5 on Mohs Scale
Birthstone Month:
Anniversary Year:
Refractive Index:
1.92 to 2.01
0.59 (strong doubling)
Specific Gravity:
3.90 to 4.73