Hafnon
# Hafnon

Hafnon is a hafnium nesosilicate mineral, chemical formula $(Hf,Zr)SiO_4$ or $(Hf,Zr,Th,U,Y)SiO_4.$ In natural zircon $ZrSiO_4$ part of the zirconium is replaced by the very similar hafnium and so natural zircon is never pure $ZrSiO_4.$ A zircon with 100% hafnium substitution can be made synthetically and is hafnon.

Hafnon occurs as transparent red to red orange tetragonal crystals with a hardness of 7.5.

Hafnon occurs naturally in tantalum-bearing granite pegmatites in the Zambezia district, Mozambique and in weathered pegmatites at Mount Holland, Western Australia. It has also been reported from locations in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba, Canada; North Carolina, United States; and in Zimbabwe.

