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Zircon · Variety of Zircon

Blue Zircon

Bright blue zircon, usually heat treated

Blue
Optical properties

Optical characteristics

Ref. index
1.925 – 2.024
Birefringence
0 – 0.059
Luster
Vitreous to adamantine
Pleochroism
Variable Variable depending on transparency, orientation, and variety.
Fluorescence
Variable to inert.
Origins

Source localities

Myanmar Myanmar: Mogok Valley
Premium ★ Top Source

Classic source for ruby, sapphire, spinel and other collector gems.

48.8% est. supply
Sri Lanka Sri Lanka: Ratnapura / Elahera
Premium ★ Top Source

Classic Ceylon source for sapphire and many alluvial gems; known for bright colors and good clarity.

41.4% est. supply
Cambodia Cambodia: Pailin
Commercial

Historic source for dark blue sapphire and ruby near the Thai border.

9.8% est. supply
Inclusions

Inclusions & features

Crystals Crystal Inclusions Under 10x loupe: solid, well-formed mineral crystals trapped inside the host gem. They may… Fractures Feathers and Fractures Under 10x loupe: irregular internal surfaces that catch light and appear bright, wing-like, or… Fractures Fingerprint Inclusions Under 10x loupe: curved or wavy lines of tiny dots forming patterns that look… Clouds Pinpoint Clouds Under 10x loupe: concentrations of extremely tiny bright dots that individually are too small… Crystals Radiation Halos Under 10x loupe or microscope: a dark brown, gray, or discolored spherical zone surrounding… Multiphase Two-Phase Inclusions Under 10x loupe: a transparent irregular cavity containing both a liquid phase and a…
Identification

Instruments used

Dichroscope Reveals pleochroism, instantly eliminates singly-refractive stones 10x Loupe Your most-used instrument, start every examination here Polariscope Determines single vs. double refraction, quick and conclusive Refractometer Measures refractive index, the backbone of gem identification UV Lamp, Long Wave and Short Wave Fluorescence exposes treatments, synthetics, and origin