The Difference Between Zircon and Diamond
Zircon is a silicate mineral that is the main ore for the extraction of metallic zirconium. Zircon is widely found in acidic igneous rocks and is also produced in metamorphic rocks and other sediments. Zircon is chemically stable, so gem-grade zircon can also be found in the gravel of rivers. There are many kinds of zircons, and different zircons will have different colors, such as red, yellow, orange, brown, green or colorless and transparent. The cut gem-quality zircon is much like a diamond.
The natural gemstone most similar to diamonds is zircon. Because colorless zircon also has a large refractive index and dispersion, the processed stone has a strong fire color. However, it is easy to distinguish the two based on birefringence, hardness, and polarization.
Diamonds are isotropic gemstones with no polarizing and birefringence. The zircon has a polarizing and a large birefringence. When viewed from the crown, a "double shadow" phenomenon will appear on its face.
Secondly, for rough gemstones or unstudded loose diamonds, it is easy to distinguish them by hardness. You only need to sculpt the identified gems to see the difference. If you can mark the traces, it is a diamond. If you can't scratch it, it is zircon.
In addition, the density of diamonds and zircons can be distinguished. The density of the diamond is 3.52 g/cm', and the density of the zircon is 3.90-4.73 g/cm'.
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