gemstone

Cubic Zirconia (Diamond Simulant)

Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

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

Identified July 6, 2026More gemstone →

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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.