Zircon resembles diamond in luster and fire and colorless zircons have been mistaken for diamonds by experienced jewelers. It is found in browns and greens but can be heat treated to beautiful blue and golden colors. Zircon has been used as a diamond simulant both for innocent and nefarious reasons. Zircon can make a very attractive and affordable gemstone. Colorless material is produced in this way as well. Zircon is the December Birthstone.
Topaz
Topaz is a common gemstone that has been used for centuries in jewelry. Topaz may be colorless, yellow, orange, red, blue and green. Its golden brown to yellow color is classic but is confused with the less valuable citrine, which is sometimes wrongly sold under the name topaz. The blue topaz that is often confused with aquamarine is rarely natural and is produced by irradiating and then heating clear crystals. Topaz is the hardest silicate mineral and one of the hardest minerals in nature. Topaz is the November Birthstone and the Sagittarius Zodiac stone. Topaz crystals can reach incredible size of several hundred pounds. Topaz can make very attractive mineral specimens due to their high luster, nice colors and well formed and multifaceted crystals.
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