zircon

/'zə:kɔn/

Thân thiện

A jeweler examines a brilliant blue zircon under a bright light.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A common mineral occurring in small crystals; the chief source of the element zirconium. It is used as a refractory material when opaque and as a gemstone when transparent.

Usage

• Noun: "Zircon" is a countable noun used to refer to the mineral itself or a specific crystal or gemstone made from it. It is typically found in geological or gemological contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The geologist identified the sample as zircon.
  • Blue zircon is a popular and affordable gemstone for jewelry.
  • The sands contained tiny grains of zircon.

Advanced Usage

• "Zircon dating": A scientific method (uranium-lead dating) used to determine the age of rocks by measuring the decay of uranium isotopes within zircon crystals.
  • Zircon dating provided precise ages for the ancient continental crust.

Variants and Related Words

• Zirconium (n): The metallic chemical element (Zr) derived from zircon.
  • Zirconium is known for its corrosion resistance.

Synonyms

• Hyacinth (archaic): A historical name for a reddish-orange variety of zircon.
• Jargoon or Jargon: A colorless, pale yellow, or smoky variety of zircon.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary meaning is the mineral. Its value and use depend on its quality: industrial use for opaque varieties and decorative/gemological use for transparent, often heat-treated, crystals. It should not be confused with the synthetic diamond simulant "cubic zirconia," which is a different material.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a common mineral occurring in small crystals; chief source of zirconium; used as a refractory when opaque and as a gem when transparent

Từ đồng nghĩa

• zirconium silicate