Zircon is a natural gemstone that has been prized for its brilliance and fire for thousands of years. It is found in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, red, green, blue, brown, and colorless. The most highly valued color is a deep red, known as "hyacinth."

Zircon is a durable stone, with a hardness of 6.5-7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it suitable for everyday wear. It is also a relatively affordable gemstone, making it a popular choice for jewelry.

One of the unique characteristics of zircon is its strong double refraction, which causes a "dancing" or "flashing" effect when the stone is viewed from different angles. This is known as "zircon's fire." It also has a high level of dispersion, which means it breaks white light into its component colors, creating a rainbow effect.

Zircon is often confused with cubic zirconia, a man-made diamond simulant. However, zircon is a natural mineral and has been used in jewelry for centuries, while cubic zirconia was only created in the 20th century.

The largest deposits of zircon are found in Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka. These deposits are mined for both gem-quality zircon and zircon used in industrial applications.

Zircon is often used in traditional and antique-style jewelry, such as filigree rings and pendants. It is also a popular choice for engagement rings and other fine jewelry. Many people also choose zircon as a birthstone for December.

In conclusion, zircon is a natural gemstone that has been prized for its brilliance and fire for thousands of years. It is a durable and relatively affordable stone, making it a popular choice for jewelry. With its unique characteristics of strong double refraction and high level of dispersion, it creates a "dancing" or "flashing" effect, and breaks white light into its component colors. It can be found in various colors, but red zircon is the most highly valued. Zircon is a natural mineral, unlike cubic zirconia which is man-made and created in 20th century. It is often used in traditional and antique-style jewelry, and also as a birthstone for December.