What is zircon?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
Zircon is a natural gemstone and one of the oldest minerals on Earth, found in a remarkable range of colours including vivid blue, red, orange, yellow and colourless. Its very high refractive index gives it exceptional brilliance and fire that rivals diamond in colourless form, and its blue variety is one of the December birthstones. Zircon is entirely unrelated to cubic zirconia, which is a synthetic material developed as a diamond simulant. Natural zircon is a genuine gemstone with its own character and considerable beauty.
Frequently asked questions
- Is zircon the same as cubic zirconia?
- No, they are completely different materials that happen to share a similar name, which causes a lot of confusion. Zircon is a natural mineral found in the earth, while cubic zirconia is a man-made synthetic material created specifically as a diamond simulant. Natural zircon is a real gemstone with its own value.
- What colours does zircon come in?
- Zircon occurs in blue, red, orange, yellow, green, brown and colourless. The vivid electric blue, which is produced by heat treating brownish zircon, is the most popular and commercially important colour in fine jewellery.
- Is zircon durable enough for everyday wear?
- Zircon rates 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, which is reasonable for most jewellery, but it has a tendency to show wear on facet edges over time because its crystal structure is somewhat brittle. It works well in pendants, earrings and rings worn with some care.
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