ZIRCON

Characteristics of the mineral.

Silicate zirconium Zr [SiO4], the color is very diverse: brown in different shades, sometimes white, colorless, rarely red, green, yellow, black. Golden-red stones are called hyacinths. In addition to the most beautiful golden yellow and red zircons, brown, yellowish-green and sky-blue stones are found. Their color is determined by the impurities of iron, copper, zinc, calcium, titanium and some rare earth elements. In contrast, diamond has a hardness of 7.5 (softer than sapphire). It occurs in the form of well-faceted sharp-pointed crystals. The dimensions of the crystals are usually small (several millimeters), large zircons are considered to be larger than 10 mm. In the jewelry business, brown zircons are used, which after firing acquire a magnificent blue color. In factory jewelry to buy natural zircon (and not fianit) today is almost unrealistic, these are very rare stones, although they were often met before.

Zircon (natural stone) is known from ancient times. As impurities, zircons can contain iron, calcium, aluminum, rare earth metals, hafnium, strontium, scandium, thorium, uranium, beryllium, niobium, tantalum, phosphorus, etc. Yellow, straw-yellow and smoky zircons are sometimes called Siamese diamonds. Starlit or starlight - zircon with a natural or obtained after thermochemical treatment of sky-blue color. There are green and purple zircons. The nature of the coloration of zircons has long attracted the attention of researchers.

Zircon occurs in the form of well-defined crystals, the shape of which varies depending on the formation conditions from the long-prismatic (in granite pegmatites and granites) to dipyramidal (in alkaline and metasomatic rocks). Sometimes twins, twisted twins and snap-like or radial-radiate coalescence are observed. Crystals, as a rule, are relatively small (a few millimeters in diameter), occasionally large zircons of tens and even hundreds of carats are noted. The shine is strong, glassy to diamond, in translucent stones - greasy to matte, on a break to resinous. The refractive indices of various zircons, like the density, vary considerably.

The deposits of zircon jewelry are very rare, although zircon as an accessory mineral is widely distributed in alkaline magmatic rocks, pegmatites, albitites, etc. The main source of jewelry stones are the deposits of Thailand, Kampuchea, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Madagascar. There are also deposits of jewelry zircon in Burma, the United States, the Korean peninsula, Brazil, Canada, Norway, Australia, Tanzania. In Russia, jewelry zircons are found in the Urals and in kimberlite and placer deposits of diamonds in Yakutia.

Zirkons of jewelry quality in any field are an insignificant part. Transparent colorless and beautifully colored zircons are processed using a diamond (for light zircons) or stepped (for zircon with a dense color) cut. Of less transparent stones, cabochons are made. The demand for zircons and their cost are not stable. The most popular are the only blue ennobled zircons. Especially appreciated zircons pastel blue. Previously, natural colorless zircons were used as the most successful substitutes for diamonds.

Now they are replaced by synthetic phianites, since 1972, in the course of 30 years, all the other substitutes for diamonds from the jewelry market (both natural and synthetic stones) have been completely superseded. Synthetic zircon (zirconium, fianit) in its composition is very different from natural zircon. If natural zircon is a zirconium silicate (a salt of silicic acid) and is never synthetic, then fianit (cubic zircon) is a single crystal of zirconium oxide, grown according to Soviet technology and has no analogues yet.

Physical features of natural zircons.

This mineral contains radioactive components . From the point of view of crystal physics, natural zircons of small size, relatively transparent, not green and slightly colored , are colored correctly and harmless from the point of view of the level of radiation (up to 19-24 milli / g / hr) - they are colored by a small number of compounds of radioactive elements or contain them in small Quantities.

If the zircons are colored intensively, they are green, opaque or large in size , it is likely that this causes an increased natural level of radiation from natural zircons (from 29-32 milli-radentgen / hour and above) - they are strictly forbidden to be stored in home collections, And industrial faceting (especially at home and production facilities, where a large number of staff work). They are strictly forbidden to be irradiated and ennobled in nuclear reactors and transported in large quantities (in total from 29-32 milli-radentgen / hour and above). It is forbidden to transport radioactive stones without the sign "radiation" and without additional declaration at the customs ("radioactive").

It is safe to wear light transparent non-green and small natural zircons, regardless of their shape on their hands (in rings and bracelets - "wristbands") and on their legs - as far from the thyroid gland, birthmarks, large moles (especially bulging), from the chest , Superficial lymph nodes, and the like. Easily damaged by radiation objects on the human body. In any case, for reasons of safety and environmental friendliness, it is not recommended to wear natural zircons permanently and keep large samples of this mineral in the apartment or office (the house and apartment are not a mineralogical museum with a permissible radiation level of 32 to 120 milli-radentgen / hour and higher for special exposures and mineralogical Spetshranov).

Dangerous is the direct contact with the body and the wearing of point and diffuse sources of radiation and radioactive components on the body (about 50% of the radiation is absorbed by contact with the outer surface of the body and about 100% of the radiation - when a radioactive or contaminated object is ingested).

Magic properties of stones.

The mascot of criminologists, judges, all who try to expose deceptions and frauds. A vicious man, giving him complete freedom, zircon very often leads behind bars, for the stone itself is blameless and does not like such people. Vain, he, too, can "substitute" by shaming them publicly.

Zircon of pure and bright yellow-brown color, like strongly brewed Indian tea or cognac, can inspire confidence and help expose deceptions. In the East, he is called "the younger brother of a diamond." Improves the mental abilities of its owner, stimulates in him the desire for science and the knowledge of truth. Strengthens memory, increases intelligence. Zircon of blue color is an amulet of travelers.

HYACINTH

Characteristics of the mineral.

Transparent variety of zircon red, pink and orange shades. Hyacintos - so the ancient Greeks called the flower hyacinth (dark blue, purple, purple). Care should be taken when wearing hyacinth, as it is fragile and chipped and jagged easily on it. Therefore it is good that the products have rims of protective type. The material suitable for jewelry purposes is found only in a few places, of which the most important is Ceylon. Here, in the gravel-rich gravels, zircons of virtually all possible colors for this precious stone are found, including reddish-brown, yellow and green in various shades. The term hyacinth is often used in Ceylon incorrectly, as it is also denoted by reddish garnets found in the same place as zircons.

Hyacinth (old name - peradol) - red-yellow and crimson-orange, red, brown-red, brown zircon, whose color resembles the color of blood and hyacinth - a flower grown according to ancient Greek myth, Apollo from the body (or blood) of the beautiful The youth of Hyacinth, the favorite of Apollo, Zephyr, killed by the god of the wind.

Magic properties of stones.

His owner is everywhere waiting for luck, a warm welcome and a hospitable shelter. It is believed that he brings a quiet sleep, brings pleasant dreams and strengthens his strength. Talisman of inexhaustible vivacity, useful to merchants, artists, people of art professions and others, associated with great emotional and physical impact. Hyacinth is also a talisman of beauty, attractiveness, tenderness and charm, the ability to behave correctly in a variety of situations. He is an amulet and amulet from the harmful influences of bad people, from obstacles in the way of progress towards the goal, ward off the evil intentions of enemies and pursuers. A talisman of travelers, making all roads light, averting lightning and other misfortunes. The stone protects and helps to expose liars and deceivers and receive truthful information.

FINAN (ZIRCON CUBIC)

Characteristics of the mineral.

Zirconium oxide. Synthetic zircon serves as a substitute for diamonds in jewelry and is very popular today. The imitation material should have many properties of a diamond, but the most important thing is to be cheap. This problem was solved by different people in different ways, and for today the most popular imitator of diamond is fianit.

The name of phianite comes from the abbreviation FIAN (Physical Institute of the Academy of Sciences), where in the early seventies of the XX century this artificial mineral was created. From abroad, imported "zircon" or "zirconium", which in fact is a cubic zirconia, grown by Soviet license or simply by Soviet technology, but disguised under these commercial names. Deviations from the correct technology of directional crystallization of cubic crystals cause a deterioration in the quality of cubic zirconia (their shine and light play diminish). In appearance, the uncut crystal of cubic zirconia resembles a diamond crystal.

It is not a diamond, not a natural mineral of zircon and not a chemical element (metal) of zirconium. The facets of the faceted zircon are rounded, they are sharp in diamond. The brilliance and play of light of the fiat are inferior only to diamonds, surpassing all other stones. Colorless zircons, although characterized by diamond shine and play, can be easily distinguished from diamond by low hardness and refraction (which allows a significant part of the light falling on the diamond cut ground to slip out of the bottom of the stone). Visually distinguish small cubic zirconia in the product from small diamonds is difficult.

Magical properties.

Fianit - a synthetic substitute for diamonds and the most popular inset in gold and silver jewelry. By itself, no magical properties, regardless of its coloration does not. He is like an empty vessel, which everyone can fill something at will and according to his capabilities.