How to Buy Zircon

Whether you’re buying blue zircon to celebrate a December birthday, or selecting another shade just to own a gorgeous piece of Earth’s oldest history, zircon offers many options. A wide range of colors at relatively low costs makes zircon a popular gemstone with collectors.

While zircon gems generally follow the same value factors as diamonds, it’s best to visit an American Gem Society jeweler who can help you select the right gemstone for you.

Zircon is available in a rainbow of colors. Reddish-brown earth tones are common, but bright red or green gemstones have higher market value.

Blue zircon is the most popular variety. It comprises 80 percent of all zircon sales and commands the highest prices. Blue is almost always the result of heat treatment.

Zircon is often cut in the brilliant style to showcase its diamond-like luster and fire. Facets must be cut carefully to avoid chipping this brittle stone and properly to avoid the blur caused by zircon’s strong double refraction.

The size of zircon depends on its color. Blue and green gemstones come in sizes up to 10 carats, while orange and yellow go up to five. Rare red and purple stones are typically smaller.

Because zircon is one of the heaviest gemstones, it appears smaller than other gemstones of equal carat weight.

Often considered the best-looking natural substitute for diamond, zircon is gaining popularity—not just in colorless form, but across the spectrum. Whether you’re seeking a birthday blue gem or any other hue, you can find the zircon just right for your style. Visit an American Gem Society jeweler to find the best gemstone for you.