mineral

Cubic Zirconia

Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO2)

Hardness: 8.0-8.5 Mohs. Color: Colorless (pure), can be doped for various colors. Luster: Adamantine. Crystal Structure: Cubic. Specific Gravity: 5.6-6.0. Cleavage: None.

Hardness: 8
Color: Colorless (pure), can be doped for various colors
Luster: Adamantine

Identified May 30, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 8.0-8.5 Mohs. Color: Colorless (pure), can be doped for various colors. Luster: Adamantine. Crystal Structure: Cubic. Specific Gravity: 5.6-6.0. Cleavage: None.

Formation & geological history

Synthetically produced in laboratories using the skull melting process, where zirconium oxide powder is heated until it melts and then cooled into crystals. Though cubic zirconia can occur naturally as the rare mineral tazheranite, almost all specimens are lab-grown.

Uses & applications

Primarily used as a low-cost, durable alternative to diamonds in jewelry. It is also used in industrial applications requiring high thermal stability and chemical resistance.

Geological facts

Cubic zirconia has a higher dispersion (fire) than diamond, which often makes it look more colorful when light hits it. It was first synthesized for commercial use in 1976 by the Lebedev Physical Institute in Moscow.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its weight (it is significantly heavier than a diamond of the same size) and its tendency to become cloudy or scratched over time unlike diamonds. It lacks the natural inclusions found in most real stones.