Zircon is a mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates and is a source of the metal zirconium. Its chemical name is zirconium(IV) silicate, and its corresponding chemical formula is ZrSiO₄

• Zircon is widely used in the foundry industry mainly for casting and refractory applications.
• Zircon's properties make it ideal for use in sand casting, investment casting and as a mould coating in die casting processes.
• It is also used in refractory paints and washes to reduce the wettability of other foundry sands.
• Zircon is also used as a raw material in the production of fused and chemically derived zirconia, most commonly used in advanced ceramic applications such as electro-ceramics, structural ceramics, pump components and biocompatible devices, as well as advanced technical ceramics such as oxygen sensors and solid oxide fuel cells.