diaspars

Diaspars are a type of gemstone that are a variety of the mineral zircon (zirconium silicate). The name "diaspore" is derived from the Greek word "diaspeiro," meaning "to scatter" or "to disperse," likely referring to the gemstone's tendency to break up easily. However, diaspar is not a recognized mineral or gemstone name in standard mineralogy. It is possible that "diaspars" is a colloquial or trade name for a specific variety of zircon, or perhaps a misspelling of "diaspore," which is a distinct mineral (aluminum oxide hydroxide) and not a variety of zircon.

If "diaspars" refers to a type of zircon, then it would share the chemical composition of zircon, ZrSiO4. Zircons are known for their brilliance and durability, making them attractive gemstones. They are found in a variety of colors, including colorless, yellow, brown, pink, red, blue, and green. The color is often due to trace impurities within the crystal lattice. Historically, zircons have sometimes been confused with diamonds due to their similar brilliance, especially when colorless.

The mineral diaspore, on the other hand, has the chemical formula AlO(OH) and is an aluminum oxide hydroxide. Diaspore is known for its pleochroism, meaning it can exhibit different colors when viewed from different angles. Common colors for diaspore include yellowish-grey, greyish-brown, olive green, and rose red. Famous deposits of diaspore are found in Turkey, and some specimens from this locality, particularly the transparent, reddish-brown to yellowish varieties, are cut and polished as gemstones. It's important to distinguish between zircon and diaspore, as they are chemically and mineralogically different. Without further clarification, "diaspars" remains an ambiguous term.