Cubic Zirconia, a.k.a. CZ, is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide. The natural form of a yellowish monoclinic baddeleyite (zirconium oxide) was discovered in 1892. It is a mineral that is widely synthesized for use as a diamond simulant. It is hard, optically flawless and usually colorless (it can however be made in a variety of colors). It is not the same as Zircon which is a zirconium silicate. Considering its low cost, durability, and its close visual likeness to diamond, cubic zirconia has remained the most gemologically and economically important diamond simulant since 1976. Its main competition as a synthetic gemstone is the more recently cultivated material, Moissanite. Cubic Zirconia is so optically close to diamond that only a trained eye can easily differentiate the two. There are few key features of cubic zirconia which distinguish it from diamond, some that can only be observed under a loupe or a microscope.
Dispersion : CZ = 0.060 v/s Diamond = 0.144.
Hardness : CZ = 8.5 - <9 diamond =" 10." cz =" 1.7" cz =" Virtually" diamond =" Almost" cz =" 2.176" diamond =" 2.417" cz =" Always" diamond =" Variable." cz =" Colorless," diamond =" Colorless">
Clear, Vibrant, Colorless, Very High Dispersion, Good Brilliance, Good Fire, Good Cut, Good Polish, Very Hard, Man-Made.
SIGNITY = Machine Cut Gem.
Moh's Hardness = 8.5 - >9.
SIGNITY = Machine Cut Gem.
Moh's Hardness = 8.5 - >9.
