Zircon

Zircon is a mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates. Zircon forms in silicate melts with concentrated incompatible elements and accepts high field strength elements into its structure. Zircon is mainly consumed as a opacifier in the decorative ceramics industry. It is also the principal precursor to metallic zirconium, although this application is small, and all compounds of zirconium including zirconium oxide (ZrO2), one of the most refractory materials known.