Zircon
Zircon, perhaps best known as a substitute for diamond, has a brilliance approaching that of diamond, but is softer and has different refractive properties. Zircon has been mined in Sri Lanka for over 2,000 years. In addition to the colorless variety, it is also found in red, yellow, blue, green, and brown. Much of the zircon sold as cubic zirconium is created in a laboratory.
|