Untreated Australian Zircon 1.17 (OZB117)

1.17 Carat (sold)
Pool to Sky Blue
Light 30 to Medium 50
Lightly Included

GRADING REPORT OBZ117

• Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Zircon
• Carat: 1.17
• Shape: Long Oval
• Measures: 7.47x4.85x3.29 (millimeter)
• Color Grade: Good
• Tone: Light 30 to Medium 50
• Color Zoning: Gradually from center outwards
• Clarity: Lightly Included
• Cutting Grade: Very Good 
  • Brilliancy: 90%
  • Depth: 67%
• Origin: Australia
• Treatment: None

Certificate No: IGI 181518057

Overall Grade: Good

Comment: Disclosure: We do usually not copy/paste our product descriptions, but in this case we need to repeat the following: Blue zircon (from Cambodia) has been the one gem that I regretted not to trade because they are always heated. Now, I was told that an Australian gold-miner found these light blue zircons as by-product in his mine. I was more than intrigued and after some study I'm willing to trust: the blue is very bright, the stones are all very small, they show no sign of high-heat, and there are actually reports of natural bright blue zircons found in Australia. We conclude that these zircons had the luck to undergo a natural geological heat process like some citrines but that they are untreated by men.

About the gem: This 1.17 is the biggest of the lot. It is very bright pool blue in the centre and gets darker towards the outer corners. Also, it displays a tint of green in lower light. Great sparkler as all zircons. Note the 'seaweed' inclusions visible in the back-side image (lens only). With the strong double refraction in Zircon those string-like inclusions produce an extra buzz and the gem looks even more 'alive' than other zircons. As pretty as an off-path coloured diamond but without the financial catastrophe. See handshot: a bright and shiny gem even from meters distance. Though, IMO, the colour zoning, the string inclusions and the green tint are nothing but interesting features they do get this 1.17 into the sales section (despite the fact that it is our biggest specimen). If you like your gems to have special effects, here is your bargain. IGI certified and home delivered, or let us set it in a slender white gold ring.