Min. Also 8 circon, 9 zircone. [ad. F. zircone, G. zirkon; see JARGON sb.2] A native silicate of zirconium, occurring in tetragonal crystals, variously colored, red, yellow, brown, green, etc.
Colorless and translucent varieties are used as gems: cf. HYACINTH 1 b, JARGON sb.2
1794. Kirwan, Elem. Min. (ed. 2), I. 14. Jargonic Earth or Jargonia. This earth has been discovered by Mr. Klaproth; it has as yet been found only in the stone called Jargon, or Circon, of Ceylon.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 453. Zircon is destitute of taste and smell, and is harsh to the touch.
1849. D. Campbell, Inorg. Chem., 160. Zirconia: Sequioxide of zirconium…. This oxide is found combined with silicic acid in the mineral zircons.
1902. Encycl. Brit., XXVIII. 613/2. The zircon, jargoon, or hyacinth is a very beautiful stone, varying in colour, like the topaz, from red and yellow to green and blue.
b. attrib. and Comb., as zircon crystal, earth, fossil; zircon-like adj.; zircon-syenite (see quot.).
1804. R. Jameson, Syst. Min., I. 34. The *zircon crystal is formed.
1816. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 93. *Zircon earth.
1809. J. Murray, Syst. Chem. (ed. 2), II. 274. *Zircon fossils.
1868. Dana, Min. (ed. 5), 275. Tetragonal *zircon-like minerals.
1825. Haidinger, trans. Mohs’ Treat. Min., II. 370. Those [varieties of pyramidal zircon] from Frederiksvärn in Norway [occur] in *zircon-syenite.
