If you like jewelry, you probably already know about all the popular standbys like diamonds, garnets, and pearls. Another beautiful gem to check out are zircon stones. 

Zircon Stones and Cubic Zirconia

Before everything else, let's get this out of the way. Cubic Zirconia are not natural gemstones; they are lab created. The whole point to this lab-created stone is that they look very similar to diamonds and yet cost a fraction of the price of a true diamond. 

Zircon stones, on the other hand, are some of the prettiest, most natural and oldest gems known. These stones have been around for 4 billion years! According to the Bible, the Zircon was one of the first of 12 gems worn by the high priests of Israel. 

These gems are now primarily found in the US, Sri Lanka, and Ukraine just to name a few locations.

Colors of Zircon 

Like many other gems out there, these gems do not come in just one color, but many colors including blue, green, yellow, brown, orange, gray and even purple. 

However, the most prized colors are the true red and deep blue colors. Not only are these highly valued, but they are also considered the 2 most rare colors for these stones.

Zircon Hardness

Every gem that is available uses a hardness scale, called the Mohs scale. For example, diamonds are usually 9.5 to 10 on the mohs scale which makes them incredibly stronger (and more durable) than something like gypsum (only rated a 2 on the hardness scale). As such, diamonds are valued not just for their beauty, but also for their functionality.

While zircon is not as hard as a diamond, it does measure right around 6 to 7.5 on the scale. Although it's not going to be used in a drill bit, it still has wonderful applications for decorative jewelry. If you take care of your zircon stones, they can last a lifetime, and even provide a special family heirloom that can be passed down through generations.

Cleaning Your Zircon 

While an ultrasonic cleaner could be used for a diamond, you should take a softer approach to these stones. Instead of using an ultrasonic or steam cleaner, you can simply use some warm soapy water and a soft rag to clean your zircon stones.

If you are interested in selling your used jewelry or have questions, visit Ralph Mueller & Associates or call 480.949.9229.