• The Journal of the Petrological Society of Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2013

We report an easy and efficient method for separating zircon grains using a gold pan and disposable sieve together with the tap water. Samples powdered to less than $230{\mu}m$ in grain size are placed on the water-filled pan tilted at about $10^{\circ}$. The outflowing water flooded with low-density particles is screened by a ${\sim}70{\mu}m$ sieve. The most efficient rate of water outflow is estimated to be 0.1 L/sec, when the distance between the tap and the surface of water-filled pan is kept at 20-25 cm. After 20-30 minutes of water outflow, heavy mineral fractions are ready for zircon collection using a hand magnet (and heavy liquid when necessary) or simply hand-picking. This procedure is most likely applicable for the separation of other heavy minerals including monazite.