Fluorescent Zircon Crystals in Biotite Schist - Norway

This beautiful specimen contains deep red-orange zircon crystals that are still partially embedded in the biotite (mica schist) matrix that they formed within. It was collected from Finnmark, Norway and the largest crystal measures .5" wide. Under short-wave UV the zircon fluoresces a stunning yellow color!

Zircon belongs to the nesosilicates group and forms as tetragonal crystals. Its common chemical formula is ZrSiO4, which can be altered by a variety of impurities. Certain impurities result in crystals with a wide variety of colors (white, colorless, blue, red, green, yellow, orange, brown, pink, purple, and gray). Certain impurities within zircon crystals can be radioactive, but that radioactivity is typically minimal and is generally believed to be safe, without posing any health hazards.

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