| ZIRCON* |
K. R. Krishna Iyer,
Pages : 81-88
DOI :10.1080/0371750X.1945.10877784 |
| Abstract |
| Out of the two commercial ores of Zirconium-badJeleyite
or brazilite (the natural oxide of zirconium) and zircon (the ortho:
silicate of zirconium)-zircon is the more important and the more
widely distributed mineral. It' is found as an accessory mineral
in all types of igneous rocks, particularly in granites and nepheline
.syenites. It also occurs in gneisses, schiSts and metamorphic
limeStones. The mineral gets concentrated in the heavier portions
of the sands formed by the weathering of the zircon-bearing rocks
:and is usually found associated with monazite, ilmenite, rutile,
.garnet etc. Larger cryStals are sometimes found in the pegmatitic
varieties of the nepheline-syenites and other rocks and are used
as gems. Zircon is one of the few minerals that rivals the diamond
in brilliance and 'fire.' The gems known ·as hyacinth and jargon
are only varieties of zircon, and the name zircon itself is probably
.derived from the well-known Ceylon 'jargon'; though according
to Mellor, 1 the word is derived from the Arabic Zerk, a precious
Stone. |
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