What is "zirconium silicate"

n. a common mineral occurring in small crystals; chief source of zirconium; used as a refractory when opaque and as a gem when transparent [syn: zircon]

Zirconium silicate, also zirconium orthosilicate, ( Zr Si O) is a chemical compound, a silicate of zirconium. It occurs in nature as the zircon, a silicate mineral. Zirconium silicate is also sometimes known as zircon flour.

Zirconium silicate is usually colorless, but impurities induce various colorations. It is insoluble in water, acids, alkali and aqua regia. Hardness is 7.5 on the Mohs scale.