{"product_id":"faceted-zircon-from-cambodia-295ct-bzi02","title":"Cambodian Faceted Zircon 2.95ct - BZI02","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Cambodia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 2.95ct\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSize: 10.8 x 9.3 x 5 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColour: colourless\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDETAILED DESCRIPTION\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eZircon: A fascinating gemstone with billions of years of history\nZircon is one of the oldest and most fascinating gemstones in the world. It is a natural mineral - zirconium silicate (ZrSiO₄) - valued primarily for its remarkable brilliance, high refractive index and strong light dispersion. These optical properties allow it to produce an exceptionally intense sparkle, and high-quality faceted stones are sometimes compared to diamonds, although zircon is a completely different natural gemstone.\nOne of the oldest minerals on Earth\nOne of zircon's most remarkable characteristics is its age. Some discovered crystals are among the oldest known minerals on our planet, with ages exceeding 4 billion years. Zircon is therefore not only an attractive gemstone, but also an important mineral for geological research.\nColours and appearance of zircon\nZircon occurs naturally in a wide range of colours. The best-known varieties include colourless, blue, honey-coloured, golden, brown, reddish-brown, orange and green stones. The colour depends on the chemical composition, trace elements and geological processes that have affected the stone over millions of years.\nHardness and use in jewellery\nOn the Mohs hardness scale, zircon reaches approximately 6.5-7.5, making it a relatively durable stone suitable for use in jewellery. Compared to harder gemstones such as sapphire or diamond, it is more brittle and therefore requires more careful handling, especially in finer cuts. Thanks to its brilliance and attractive appearance, it is highly prized by both collectors and jewellers.\nZircon vs. cubic zirconia\nIt is very important not to confuse natural zircon with synthetic cubic zirconia. Although the names sound similar, these are two completely different materials. Cubic zirconia is a laboratory-created diamond imitation, while zircon is an authentic natural gemstone with millions or billions of years of geological history.\nMain zircon localities\nImportant zircon deposits are found in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, Thailand and Tanzania. Cambodian zircons, in particular, are highly sought after for their quality, clarity and attractive colours, which are suitable for faceting and use in jewellery.\nWhy is zircon so popular?\nThanks to its natural origin, exceptional lustre and wide range of colours, zircon is highly valued by mineral collectors, gemstone enthusiasts and jewellers alike. It represents an original and less common alternative to more well-known gemstones, captivating not only with its appearance but also with its fascinating geological history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58046047158597,"sku":"BZI02","price":34.84,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/77531_faceted-zircon-from-cambodia-2-95ct.jpg?v=1779539222","url":"https:\/\/moldavite.it\/en\/products\/faceted-zircon-from-cambodia-295ct-bzi02","provider":"Moldavite.it","version":"1.0","type":"link"}