Diamond vs Zircon
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| Property | Diamond | Zircon |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | C | ZrSiO4 |
| Crystal System | Cubic (Isometric) | Tetragonal |
| Mineral Class | 01 Native Elements | 09 Silicates |
| Mohs Hardness | 10.0 | 6.5-7.5 |
| Color | Colorless, yellow, brown, blue, green, pink | Colorless, yellow, brown, red, green, blue |
| Luster | Adamantine | Adamantine |
| Streak | None | Colorless |
| Transparency | Transparent | Transparent |
| Cleavage | Perfect octahedral {111} | Poor {110}, {111} |
| Fracture | Conchoidal | Conchoidal |
Key Differences
- ◆ Diamond (hardness 10) is far harder than zircon (hardness 6.5–7.5).
- ◆ Zircon (ZrSiO4) is a silicate; diamond is pure carbon (C).
- ◆ Zircon has very high refractive index and dispersion, giving fire similar to diamond — hence its use as a diamond simulant.
- ◆ Zircon is the oldest mineral on Earth (up to 4.4 Ga); diamond also forms deep in geological time but is reset during eruption.
- ◆ Cubic zirconia (synthetic ZrO2) is a different substance often confused with natural zircon.