Jack Hills Erawondoo Hills Zircon Rock [4203]

Zircons are found commonly in granite and are exceptional at withstanding chemical breakdown and abrasion. As a result, they can survive high temperatures and metamorphic events that would change most other minerals.

Zircons not only have long memories but share them readily, as well. The age of Earth's oldest known rocks is Acasta Gneiss of Northwestern Canada. However, the most ancient objects found on Earth are the tiny zircon crystals that have survived as small grains in the ancient sandstone discovered in the Jack Hills, Erawondoo Hill location of Western Australia. The crystallization age of these exceptional zircons has been dated to 4.4 bya.

The robustness of zircon crystals can be seen in their incredible ability to withstand aggressive deformation events. A zircon crystal can lie dormant for eons and grow new concentric layers when intermittently reheated in a magmatic or tectonic events. This layering is analogous to the growth of tree rings, as this layering can be observed in growth spurts separated by hundreds of millions of years in geologic time. Earth's tectonic history, or even that of a continent, can be traced in a single zircon crystal grain.

Jack Hills rock specimen size: 65mm L X 45mm W X 35 mm D; Weight: 83 grams

Ships with a Certificate of Authenticity, tag, tag stand, and information about the specimen. Photo cube and acrylic riser not included.

Also listen to NPR talk about Jack Hills zircon here: https://www.opb.org/article/2022/12/29/to-peer-into-earth-s-deep-time-meet-a-hardy-mineral-known-as-the-time-lord/

Now you can own Jack Hills zircon rock at an affordable price. This is a colorful, attractive rock specimen from  Erawondoo Hill, Western Australia.