Editing Zircon (section)

==Applications==
[[Image:ZirconUSGOV.jpg|thumb|left|Sand-sized grains of zircon]]
Zircon is mainly consumed as an [[opacifier]], and has been known to be used in the decorative ceramics industry.<ref name=Ullmann>{{cite book|doi=10.1002/14356007.a28_543|chapter=Zirconium and Zirconium Compounds|title=Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry|year=2000|last=Nielsen|first=Ralph|isbn=978-3527306732}}</ref> It is also the principal precursor not only to metallic [[zirconium]], although this application is small, but also to all compounds of zirconium including [[zirconium dioxide]] ({{chem2|ZrO2}}), an important [[refractory]] oxide with a melting point of {{cvt|2717|C||}}.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Davis |first1=Sergio |last2=Belonoshko |first2=Anatoly |last3=Rosengren |first3=Anders |last4=Duin |first4=Adri |last5=Johansson |first5=Börje |title=Molecular dynamics simulation of zirconia melting |journal=Open Physics |date=1 January 2010 |volume=8 |issue=5 |page=789 |doi=10.2478/s11534-009-0152-3 |bibcode=2010CEJPh...8..789D |s2cid=120967147|doi-access=free }}</ref>

Other applications include use in refractories and foundry casting and a growing array of specialty applications as [[zirconia]] and zirconium chemicals, including in nuclear fuel rods, catalytic fuel converters and in water and air purification systems.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mineralcommodities.com/products/ |title=Products |website=Mineral Commodities Ltd |access-date=2016-08-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007164341/http://www.mineralcommodities.com/products/ |archive-date=2016-10-07}}</ref>

[[Ford Motor Company]] used a sand casting method known as the ''Cosworth Casting Method'' for the cylinder heads of its [[Ford Duratec V6 engine|Duratec V6 engine]]. The process, developed by noted scientist [[John Campbell (casting scientist)|John Campbell]] used zircon as its casting aggregate to improve material uniformity and create dimensional accuracy, high strength, and a dense, low- or no-porosity structure.<ref name="jag"/><ref name="casting">{{cite web
 |title        = Cosworth sand casting process
 |publisher    = Giesserei Lexikon
 |author       = 
 |date         = 
 |url          = https://www.giessereilexikon.com/en/foundry-lexicon/Encyclopedia/show/cosworth-sand-casting-process-4469/?cHash=ddde18037a998b40e112375beb5ce6e8}}</ref>

Zircon is one of the key minerals [[Radiometric dating|used]] by geologists for [[geochronology]].{{sfn|Nesse|2000|p=314}}

Zircon is a part of the [[ZTR index]] to classify highly-[[weathering|weathered]] [[sediment]]s.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Blatt|first1=Harvey|last2=Middleton|first2=Gerard|last3=Murray|first3=Raymond|title=Origin of sedimentary rocks|date=1980|publisher=Prentice-Hall|location=Englewood Cliffs, N.J.|isbn=0136427103|edition=2d|pages=321–322}}</ref>
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*Large specimens are appreciated as [[gemstone]]s, owing to their high [[refractive index]]. (Zircon has a refractive index of approximately 1.95; [[diamond]]'s is approximately 2.4.)-->