The facts
What green Zircon actually is
The species behind green Zircon is zircon, ZrSiO₄; it forms in the tetragonal (structurally degraded toward amorphous) system.
Green from radiation damage to the crystal structure accumulated over geological time is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.810–1.870 and a specific gravity of about 3.90–4.20, with imperfect; the metamict state makes it noticeably more fragile cleavage.
Where green Zircon comes from
Commercial material comes from Ratnapura, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How green Zircon is treated
Untreated — heating would repair the structure and destroy the colour, so genuine green zircon is one of the few unheated zircons on the market. Weakly radioactive (well below any hazard level for wear), low birefringence and near-isotropic behaviour distinguish it from high zircon.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What green Zircon is confused with
Watch for Peridot, Green tourmaline, Demantoid, Chrysoberyl and Green glass — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.810–1.870 and specific gravity 3.90–4.20 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What green Zircon is used for
The trades that buy green Zircon are mineral collecting and jewellery. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen or by the carat.
Durability and care
Hardness 6–6.5; cleavage imperfect; the metamict state makes it noticeably more fragile. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Hardness is not the whole story. Perfect cleavage means the stone can split cleanly if struck along the wrong plane, whatever its Mohs number, so a protective setting matters more here than the hardness suggests.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What green Zircon costs
Expect roughly $50–500/ct, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is green Zircon treated, and how?
Untreated — heating would repair the structure and destroy the colour, so genuine green zircon is one of the few unheated zircons on the market. Weakly radioactive (well below any hazard level for wear), low birefringence and near-isotropic behaviour distinguish it from high zircon.
Where does green Zircon come from?
Ratnapura, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is green Zircon hard enough to wear every day?
With care. It is 6–6.5 on the Mohs scale, which is hard enough, but imperfect; the metamict state makes it noticeably more fragile cleavage means it can split if struck at the wrong angle. Use a protective setting and avoid ultrasonic cleaning.
How much does green Zircon cost?
Indicatively $50–500/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is green Zircon confused with?
Most often Peridot, Green tourmaline, Demantoid, Chrysoberyl and Green glass. A refractive index of 1.810–1.870 and a specific gravity near 3.90–4.20 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for green zircon?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about green zircon