mineral

Cubic Zirconia

Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO2)

Hardness: 8-8.5 on Mohs scale. Color: Crystal clear, can be tinted. Luster: Adamantine. Crystal Structure: Isometric/Cubic. Specific Gravity: 5.6-6.0. High dispersion (fire).

Hardness: 8-8
Color: Crystal clear, can be tinted
Luster: Adamantine

Identified May 23, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 8-8.5 on Mohs scale. Color: Crystal clear, can be tinted. Luster: Adamantine. Crystal Structure: Isometric/Cubic. Specific Gravity: 5.6-6.0. High dispersion (fire).

Formation & geological history

While naturally occurring cubic zirconia (Baddeleyite) is extremely rare, almost all commercial specimens are synthetic. Formed through the skull melting process at temperatures exceeding 2750°C.

Uses & applications

Primary use as a diamond simulant in jewelry, also used in heat-resistant ceramics, optical components, and industrial abrasives.

Geological facts

First manufactured for industrial use in the 1970s by Soviet scientists. It is heavier than a diamond of the same size but lacks the carbon-based chemical structure.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its weight (denser than diamond) and lack of natural inclusions. In the field, look for a 'rainbow' flash of light that is more intense than a diamond.