zircon
Americannoun
noun
Usage
What does zircon mean? Zircon is a common mineral whose colorless, transparent variety is used as a gemstone. Zircon is most often opaque and can be reddish-brown, gray, green, or blue (the color of blue varieties is produced through heat treatment). Reddish-orange zircon is called hyacinth. A rare variety of zircon that can be yellowish, smoky, or colorless is called jargon. Some of zircon’s opaque varieties have practical applications, such as a refractory material for furnaces. Zircon is sometimes called zirconium silicate and is the principal source of the metallic element zirconium. Zircon is categorized as a semiprecious stone, which is a classification used for stones considered to have a lower value than those deemed precious. Due to its similarity, zircon is sometimes used as a substitute for diamonds, which are much more expensive. It should not be confused with cubic zirconia, an artificially manufactured stone that is also used as a diamond substitute. Zircon is one of the December birthstones. It is associated with the zodiac signs Sagitarrius and Capricorn. Example: I didn’t want diamonds in my engagement ring, but I like a clear, natural stone, so I chose zircon.
Etymology
Origin of zircon
First recorded in 1785–95; from German Zirkon, apparently ultimately from Italian giargone; see jargon 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The zircon dating provides a very different timeline.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 4, 2026
Anand says Iluka’s 1Q total zircon, rutile, and synthetic rutile output misses expectations, falling roughly 23% below both consensus and MS estimates.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 22, 2026
Inside these zircon grains is a rare gas known as krypton.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 12, 2026
Traditional dating methods usually rely on minerals like zircon or apatite found near fossils, but these minerals are not consistently available at every site.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 21, 2025
Bournonite; apatite on muscovite; natural zircon in a spray of colors; dozens more minerals he cannot name.
From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
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