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Brown zircon
This variety is very plentiful, but probably
the least appreciated of all the zircons.
Appearance It is a brown color,
which can vary from black tea" to reddish brown, tobacco,
or yellowish brown all of which are uncommon in other gems.
The luster is as fine as that of other types of zircon. Oval
or round mixed cuts are the most common and the edges are
often a bit chipped, as frequently happens with zircons.
Distinctive features The luster and marked
birefringence are highly characteristic and easily established.
The color is also distinctive as a rule. Only a few tourmalines
or quartzes can resemble it, but they are quite different
in other respects. Brown zircon has the brittle edges and
physical properties of high zircon, with a distinctive absorption
spectrum.
Occurrence Various shades of brown zircon
come from Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka.
Value Brown zircon is quite
plentiful and not highly prized, even compared with other
zircons, the color not being compatible with modern tastes
in jewelry. Its value, therefore, is distinctly low, even
for a secondary gem.
Simulants and synthetics Because
of its own low market value, it is not imitated, nor is it
produced synthetically
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