Several videos of zircon in thin section, showing typical textures and optical characteristics. Supported by Boise State University and the US National Science Foundation.
Key characteristics: high relief, elongate, symmetrical (usually), high interference colors, parallel extinction.
00:00 Probably a zircon: high relief, elongate, parallel extinction
00:30 Definitely a zircon, with inherited core
01:00 Parallel extinction, high interference colors, weak pleochroic halo
01:31 Typical square end section (tetragonal crystal system)
02:01 Another nice large crystal
02:31 Return/review of first crystal