zircon
noun [ U or C ] uk/ˈzɜː.kɒn/ us/ˈzɜ˞ː.kɑːn/
锆石
a mineral in the form of crystals (= regular shapes) from which the chemical element zirconium is obtained
A tiny crystal of zircon found in northwestern Australia is estimated to be about 4.3 billion years old. 在澳大利亚西北部发现的一颗锆石小晶体据估计是在43亿年前形成的。
Zircons, made primarily of the elements zirconium, oxygen and silicon, are extremely hard and durable. 锆石主要由锆、氧和硅等元素组成，非常坚硬耐磨。
- More examples
- Zircon has a tremendous capacity to resist breakdown during erosion, weathering, melting, and metamorphism.
- Zircon is found mainly in silica-rich rocks such as granite.
- The relative amounts of oxygen isotopes in the zircons points to the presence of water.