Zircon is a zirconium silicate mineral with the chemical composition ZrSiO₄. It is commonly found worldwide as a minor component in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. For nearly 2,000 years, it has been valued as a gemstone.

Zircon is often a byproduct in mining and processing operations where ilmenite and rutile are extracted for titanium. Industrial-grade zircon is mined from both land and marine-based deposits of alluvial origin across the globe, including Australia, South Africa, China, Indonesia, Mozambique, India, Ukraine, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Brazil, Kenya, and many other countries. Zircon is also the primary ore of zirconium metal, which is used in various high-performance applications requiring heat and corrosion resistance. These include high-performance alloys, specialty steel, lamp filaments, explosive primers, computer hardware, and numerous electronic components.