Zircon from Mkomazi, Tanzania

No. 740: Brilliant Emerald Cut, VVS, 7.23 ct., 12.5 x 7.1 x 6.9 mm, faceted by: Robert Drummond, $397.65

Shown above is another collector's gem. Deep red natural gem zircon of this color is quite rare. The color is much like that of the deep red pyrope garnet that comes from the Four Corners region of Arizona. Because this stone is so large, the body color looks almost black. However, in strong sunlight one will see a play of bright red flashes as the stone is moved. The clarity of this stone is fine and the cutting is very fine. This gem could take a prize position in any gemstone collection.

Zircon of this color is not a result of enhancement.

Blue Zircon

No. 214R: Brilliant Rectangle Cut, VVS, 3.72 ct., 7.4 x 6.3 x 6.2 mm, faceted in Russia, $204.60

Shown above is a natural blue zircon from an unknow location. This stone, cut in Russia, has good proportions. The facet shape, polish and light return are all very good. The clarity of this gem is excellent. The color of this gem is a uniform turquois-like light, slightly greenish-blue. Zircon is a doubly refractive mineral. When viewed in certain directions some facet junctions will appear as double lines. Some facet doubling is apparent in the magnified image of the gem shown above. This stone would look great in a pendant, pin, or ring.

Note: Natural zircon comes out of the ground in many colors (light browns to dark reds), but blue is not a natural color for zircon. Long ago, ingenious gem merchants learned that heating natural brown zircon would change the color to a brilliant greenish blue. The gem shown above has undoubtedly been heat treated to alter/improve its color.

Blue Zircon

No. 205R: Oval Cut, VVS, 3.62 ct., 8.9 x 6.1 x 6.0 mm, faceted in Russia, $181.00

Shown above is a natural blue zircon from an unknow location. This stone, cut in Russia, has good proportions. The facet shape, polish and light return are all very good. The clarity of this gem is excellent. The color of this gem is a uniform deep turquois-like light bluish-green. Often, to obtain this depth of color, native cutters will cut stones with extremely deep pavilions (The pavilion is the section of the stone below the girdle). Stones with extremely deep pavilions are difficult to set in jewelry. The above gem has only a moderately deep pavilion. This gem is deeply saturated in color because the gem material itself was quite dark. There was no need to cut an excessively deep pavilion to obtain this color. This stone would look great in a pendant, pin, or ring.

Note: Natural zircon comes out of the ground in many colors (light browns to dark reds), but blue is not a natural color for zircon. Long ago, ingenious gem merchants learned that heating natural brown zircon would change the color to a brilliant greenish blue. The gem shown above has undoubtedly been heat treated to alter/improve its color.

Zircon

No. 202N: Pear Cut, VVS, 1.94 ct., 8.3 x 6.3 x 4.2 mm, faceted by: native cutter, $58.20

Shown above is another deep golden orange colored zircon of very good clarity and pleasing cut. Although a native cut stone, the proportions are good, the facets are well shaped, and the polish is very good. There is good scintillation across the face of the stone. This gemstone would look beautiful in a pendant, pin, or ring.

Zircon of this color is not a result of treatment.

Blue Zircon

No. 188N: Oval Cut, VVS, 4.48 ct., 8.4 x 7.8 x 6.2 mm, faceted by: native cutter, $220.00

Shown above is a natural blue zircon from an unknow location. Although this is a native cut stone, the faceting is good; the proprotion and facet shape are good, and the polish is reasonable. The clarity of this gem is excellent. The color of this gem is a uniform turquois-like light bluish-green (the overly dark and light portions of the above image are an artifact of the photography). This stone would look great in a pendant, pin, or ring.

Note: Natural zircon comes out of the ground in many colors (light browns to dark reds), but blue is not a natural color for zircon. Long ago, ingenious gem merchants learned that heating natural brown zircon would change the color to a brilliant greenish blue. The gem shown above has undoubtedly been heat treated to alter/improve its color.

Blue Zircon

No. 186N: Oval Cut, VS, 4.09 ct., 8.8 x 7.3 x 6.0 mm, faceted by: native cutter, $184.05

Shown above is a natural blue zircon from an unknow location. Although this is a native cut stone, the faceting is good; the proprotion and facet shape are good, and the polish is reasonable. The clarity of this gem is excellent. The color of this gem is a uniform turquois-like light bluish-green (the overly dark and light portions of the above image are an artifact of the photography). This stone would look great in a pendant, pin, or ring.

Note: Natural zircon comes out of the ground in many colors (light browns to dark reds), but blue is not a natural color for zircon. Long ago, ingenious gem merchants learned that heating natural brown zircon would change the color to a brilliant greenish blue. The gem shown above has undoubtedly been heat treated to alter/improve its color.

Blue Zircon

No. 166N: Oval Cut, VVS, 2.61 ct., 8.2 x 6.3 x 4.9 mm, faceted by: native cutter, $143.55

Shown above is a natural blue zircon from an unknow location. Although this is a native cut stone, the faceting is good; the proprotion and facet shape are good, and the polish is reasonable. The clarity of this gem is excellent. The color of this gem is a uniform turquois-like light bluish-green (the overly dark and light portions of the above image are an artifact of the photography). This stone would look great in a pendant, pin, or ring.

Note: Natural zircon comes out of the ground in many colors (light browns to dark reds), but blue is not a natural color for zircon. Long ago, ingenious gem merchants learned that heating natural brown zircon would change the color to a brilliant greenish blue. The gem shown above has undoubtedly been heat treated to alter/improve its color.

Blue Zircon

No. 187N: Oval Cut, VVS, 4.48 ct., 8.8 x 7.4 x 6.4 mm, faceted by: native cutter, $224.00

Shown above is a natural blue zircon from an unknow location. Although this is a native cut stone, the faceting is good; the proprotion and facet shape are good, and the polish is reasonable. The clarity of this gem is excellent. The color of this gem is a uniform turquois-like light bluish-green (the overly dark and light portions of the above image are an artifact of the photography). This stone would look great in a pendant, pin, or ring.

Note: Natural zircon comes out of the ground in many colors (light browns to dark reds), but blue is not a natural color for zircon. Long ago, ingenious gem merchants learned that heating natural brown zircon would change the color to a brilliant greenish blue. The gem shown above has undoubtedly been heat treated to alter/improve its color.

Zircon from the Harts Range, Australia

No. 632: Curved Triangular Brilliant Cut, 2.17 ct., 7.7 x 7.7 x 4.7 mm, VS, Faceted by R. Drummond, $65.10 Sold

Shown above is an expertly crafted gemstone that would serve beautifully as the centerpiece in a pendant, pin, or occasional-use ring. The stone is a light cinnamon color with a slight tinge of pink. Zircon has a relatively high refractive index that results in discernible dispersion. This dispersion is evident as small flash of spectral colors as the stone is moved under a bright light source. This facet pattern delivers excellent scintillation and light return.

Zircon from the Harts Range, Australia

No. 635: 8 Main Pear Meetpoint Cut, 3.82 ct., 10.5 x 7.7 x 6.1 mm, VS, Faceted by R. Drummond, $114.60 Sold

Shown above is an expertly crafted gemstone that would serve beautifully as the centerpiece in a pendant, pin, or occasional-use ring. This stone is a cinnamon color with a slight tinge of pink. The stone shows excellent light return and scintillation.

Zircon from the Harts Range, Australia

No. 519: 8 Main Pear Meetpoint Cut, 4.14 ct., 11.3 x 8.3 x 5.9 mm, VVS, Faceted by R. Drummond, $144.90 Sold

Shown above is an expertly crafted gemstone that would serve beautifully as the centerpiece in a pendant or occasional ring. The stone is a light cinnamon color with a slight tinge of pink. Zircon has a relatively high refractive index that results in discernible dispersion. This dispersion is evident as small flash of spectral colors as the stone is moved under a bright light source.

Zircon from Tundura, Tanzania

No. 743: Pogonia Cut, VVS, 7.93 ct., 10.8 x 10.8 x 8.3 mm, faceted by: Robert Drummond, $317.20 Sold

Shown above is another collector's gem, a deep orange zircon from Tanzania. The clarity of this stone is fine and the cutting is very fine. The Pogonia faceting design delivers excellent light return and scintillation. This gemstone would look beautiful in a pendent, pin, or ring.

Zircon of this color is not a result of enhancement.