gemstone
Cubic Zirconia (Diamond Simulant)
Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO2)
Hardness: 8–8.5 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless (often treated for color), Luster: Adamantine, Crystal structure: Cubic, Dispersion: 0.058–0.066 (higher than diamond)
- Hardness
- 8–8
- Luster
- Adamantine, Crystal structure: Cubic, Dispersion: 0
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Physical properties
Hardness: 8–8.5 (Mohs scale), Color: Colorless (often treated for color), Luster: Adamantine, Crystal structure: Cubic, Dispersion: 0.058–0.066 (higher than diamond)
Formation & geological history
Primarily synthetic/lab-created. While baddeleyite is a rare natural mineral form of zirconium oxide, jewelry-grade cubic zirconia is strictly man-made through a process known as the cold crucible or skull melt method.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry as a cost-effective diamond alternative; also used in industrial applications such as high-temperature crucibles and thermal barriers.
Geological facts
Cubic zirconia was first 'discovered' as a natural mineral in 1937, but it wasn't until Soviet scientists perfected the growing process in the 1970s that it revolutionized the jewelry industry.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its high fire (rainbow flashes) which exceeds that of a diamond. Unlike natural stones, it is typically flawless and lacks inclusions when viewed under magnification. It is significantly heavier than a diamond of the same size.
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