2.30 Ct. Greenish Blue Zircon from Cambodia

This transparent 2.30 carat cushion shaped greenish blue zircon measures 7.95 by 6.51 by 3.94 millimeters, and presents a vivid color intensity that is immediately striking under standard daylight and jewelry-show lighting. Cut as a mixed brilliant, the gem features a traditional cushion outline with softened corners, a brilliant-style crown designed to maximize return of spectral highlights, and a pavilion configuration that balances dispersion with contrast. Clarity is graded very slightly included at eye level, meaning that under normal inspection the stone appears clean to the unaided eye while retaining minor internal characteristics that do not detract from overall performance or beauty. The polish has been evaluated as excellent, yielding crisp facet junctions and minimal surface abrasion, and the piece is reported as untreated and natural in origin from Cambodia, which contributes to its desirability among collectors and connoisseurs seeking material with provenance and no enhancements.

From a faceting and optical engineering perspective, this cushion mixed brilliant zircon has been cut to exploit the species high refractive behavior and notable dispersion, while managing pleochroic tendencies typical in strongly colored zircons. The mixed brilliant approach utilizes a full brilliant faceting on the crown to generate strong scintillation and fire, paired with a modified pavilion layout that reduces windowing and sustains depth of color when set. Facet proportions have been optimized to maintain a lively face-up appearance without compromising weight retention, providing an efficient balance between brilliance and color saturation. The very slightly included clarity grade indicates primarily microscopic crystal inclusions and occasional pinpoint or fine needle structures, which under magnification can act as minor light-scattering centers but do not interrupt the overall facet pattern or induce significant extinction. Excellent polish ensures minimal light leakage at facet planes, enhancing return and the perceived sharpness of facet reflections, while the vivid greenish blue hue displays attractive zoning dynamics that will render differently depending on viewing angle and lighting, a characteristic appreciated by gem specialists.

On the Mohs hardness scale, natural zircon typically registers between 6.5 and 7.5, and this stone falls within that expected hardness range, which has direct implications for wearability and setting considerations. By comparison, corundum varieties such as sapphire and ruby measure 9, topaz is about 8, quartz registers 7, and diamond is 10, so while zircon is harder than many common gems like opal or labradorite, it is softer than the hardstone classics used in heavy daily-wear jewelry. Practically, this means the 2.30 carat cushion greenish blue zircon is well suited to rings, pendants, and earrings when set with protective design elements such as bezel or halo settings that reduce edge exposure, or in gallery settings that minimize contact with hard surfaces. Routine care should avoid aggressive ultrasonic and steam cleaning when inclusions or surface-reaching features are present, and protective polishing or re-setting can be planned over years of wear to maintain facet integrity. At The Natural Gemstone Company we recommend setting this zircon in a design that protects the girdle and corners, and we can advise on mounting methods that preserve the stone’s polish and optical performance while showcasing its vivid color and excellent craftsmanship.