After GermanZirkonerde (M. H. Klaproth 1789 in Beobachtungen und Entdeckungen aus der Naturkundevol. III. 171); compare scientific Latinterra circonia (in the same source).
Meaning & use
Now historical and rare. Mineralogy.
1794–
Zirconia (zirconium dioxide).
1794
The other three [earths], as the adamantine spar earth, circon earth, and australis, have not been yet applied to any useful purposes.
J. G. Schmeisser, System of Mineralogyvol. I. 37
1912
The zircon earth is in the trade in the powdered form.
Mineral Industryvol. 20 543
2009
Klaproth first named the new element Zirkonerde (zircon earth, or zirconia).