1.77 ct. ‘Reverse’ Color Change Zircon
Color: Medium Bluish-Green / Purple
Clarity: Eye Clean
Origin: Burma
Cut: Cushion Mixed
Treatments: Heat
Measurements: 7.6 x 5.5 mm
One of the most unusual type of Zircons we have ever come across. Over the last several years we have seen precious few faceted examples of this unique Burmese variety that has a phenomenon rare for gem Zircon - color change. It is a very complete and dramatic change from light bluish-green to a distinct and attractive purple. What is more, the color change itself is of the rarest variety - a gemological 'reverse' color change. That is to say, the 'warm' color, purple, is present in daylight (not incandescent as you would expect) and the 'cool' one, the bluish-green, is present under incandescent lighting. Here again, the cool color would typically be the one visible under daylight, not incandescent. This odd color behavior has been documented in just one other species, a very small sample of Mozambique Tourmaline (see Gems and Gemology, Fall 2004) where the effect has been attributed to copper and manganese. The stone is a great size for viewing this unusual effect - there are very few of these available. Outstanding quality and quite sought after.