Zircon is a mineral that's full of luminosity and fire. Although its name probably derives from the Persian language and means "golden colored," zircons in fact occur in many different hues. Its refraction is nearly as high as that of the diamond, but zircons are very brittle and thus sensitive to pressure and shock. Varieties of zircon include the yellow to reddish brown "hyacinth zircon," the straw yellow to nearly colorless "jargon zircon," and the blue "starlin," which is usually produced by heating other zircons. Zircons are found in Asia, Australia, South America, Africa, and elsewhere. The natural zircon has nothing except a similar-sounding name in common with zirconia, which is a synthetic stone.

Zirconia is the man-made, synthetic stone which best imitates a natural diamond. Its physical properties are similar to those of its noble model, and zirconia achieves very good visual effects. Synonyms are "fianite," "phianite," and "CSZ" (cubic stabilized zirconium oxide). Zirconias have been manufactured in a wide range of sizes and shapes since 1977. Some zirconias have even been made with artificial inclusions. Zirconia shouldn't be confused with zircon, which is a naturally occurring mineral.