Fancy Zircon Faceting Information


Get up to date information on Fancy Zircon Faceting tips and guides. Includes details related to Fancy Zircon stones that are very helpful.

1 Minute Read

Zircon (Fancy)

Fancy Zircon Parcel/zircon facet

Color: Colorless, yellow, brown, red, blue, green, orange, violet and pink, about any color. I classify fancy Zircons as unusual or different than the norm. Unusual color.
Moh's hardness: 6.5-7.5
Type - Normal (high RI): Sometimes called high Zircon 1.94-1.987 normal (higher refractive index) zircon is usually found in crystal form.
Critical Angle: 30.33°
Type - Metamict (lower RI): sometimes called low Zircon: 1.777-1.79 Metamict (lower refractive index) Zircon is usually found as river-worn pebbles
Critical Angle: 34.40°
Specific Gravity: 3.9-4.71
Cleavage: Imperfect 2 directions.
Fracture: Conchoidal, very brittle.
Dispersion: .038
Heat Sensitivity: Yes, in my experience
Dichroic: Moderate to weak depending on color
Birefringence (double refraction): Strong (.06)
Crystal structure: Tetragonal

Treatments: Generally none, can be heated.

What I prefer to polishing with: Alumina oxide with a tin lap (scored). Diamond on tin laps works too.

Jeff's Comments: Cuts and polishes with not much trouble. Be careful when heating for dopping. If there as any cleavage (for example on the edge of the rough) heating can cause it to run. Grind off any thing that you see like this before dopping. Orientating for the "c" axis is preferred (to minimize the double refraction), but I generally cut for best yield.

I think Zircons are actually one of the most over looked stones by hobby cutters, there is a lot of quality Zircon rough available for reasonable prices.

Design Notes: About any design will work well. On light colored stones I prefer a deep design and tend to cut designs with more facets.

Design Links: Gram Prince - Nice rectangle and fairly deep
Gram Princess - My princess design for colored stones
Gram Portuguese - Classic round optimized by me, if you have a stone large enough
White Asterism - Nice for light materials
Simple Portuguese - Less facets for a smaller stone
Rainbow - Classic 1.33 oval


Jeff R. Graham

The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as Gram Faceting Designs.

Related Articles

More Articles
Zircon Value, Price, and Jewelry Informationyellowish round 4.92-ct zircon</a> displays this gemstone’s high dispersion very well. © <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/fancy-zircon-facet-faceting-information/"http://www.atggems.com/">All That Glitters</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Zircon Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Don’t be confused by the name. Zircon is a natural, magnificent, and underrated gemstone that has been worn and treasured...
Read More
How Do Zircons Form?Mahogany-brown zircon crystals</a> on matrix, 7.2 x 3.4 x 3.2 cm. Alter Pedroso, Portalegre District, Portugal. © Rob Lavinsky, <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/fancy-zircon-facet-faceting-information/"https://www.mineralauctions.com/">mineralauctions.com. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

How Do Zircons Form?

As a December birthstone, blue zircon is very popular. But are blue zircons natural? Learn how zircons form and get...
Read More
Natural Radiation and Gemstone ColorTom Munsteiner</a>. 5.54 cts, 14 mm, Brazil. © <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/fancy-zircon-facet-faceting-information/"https://www.thegemtrader.com/">The Gem Trader</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Natural Radiation and Gemstone Color

Natural radiation can create beautiful colors in many gemstones. Learn how natural radiation works and the gems most commonly affected...
Read More
Zircon Engagement Ring GuideCustomMade. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Zircon Engagement Ring Guide

Zircons are beautiful but delicate gems. Our zircon engagement ring guide will help you pick the right setting for your...
Read More

Latest Articles

More Articles
Classic Engagement Ring StonesPastel purple sapphire</a>, 1.08 cts, 5.8 mm, round cut, Sri Lanka. © <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/fancy-zircon-facet-faceting-information/"https://www.thegemtrader.com/">The Gem Trader</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Classic Engagement Ring Stones

Emerald, ruby, sapphire, and diamond are the most popular choices for classic engagement ring stones. Learn more about these traditional...
Read More
Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Is fei cui a better term for "pyroxene jade" than jadeite? Jeffery Bergman reviews Broken Bangle, a new book on...
Read More
Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry InformationJoel E. Arem</a>, PhD, FGA. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

One of the rarest of all facetable gems, cut cuprites can show magnificent deep red color. However, these beautiful stones...
Read More
Gemstone Radiation TreatmentPhoto courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/fancy-zircon-facet-faceting-information/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/fancy-zircon-facet-faceting-information/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/1081/eros-auctions-inc/">Eros Auctions, Inc</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Gemstone Radiation Treatment

Gemstone radiation is a common but little understood technique for altering colors. Learn how it works and what gems usually...
Read More

Never Stop Learning

When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.

Become a Member

Get Gemology Insights

Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!