gemstone
Diamond (or Cubic Zirconia simulant)
C (Carbon) or ZrO2 (Zirconium Dioxide)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 10 (Diamond) or 8-8.5 (CZ); Color: Colorless; Luster: Adamantine; Crystal structure: Cubic; Brilliance: High dispersion.
- Hardness
- 10 (Diamond) or 8-8
- Color
- Colorless
- Luster
- Adamantine
Identified More gemstone →
Explore Diamond (or Cubic Zirconia simulant) in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 10 (Diamond) or 8-8.5 (CZ); Color: Colorless; Luster: Adamantine; Crystal structure: Cubic; Brilliance: High dispersion.
Formation & geological history
Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth's mantle under extreme pressure and temperature. Cubic Zirconia is a synthetic gemstone created in a laboratory using the 'cold crucible' method.
Uses & applications
Primary use in fine jewelry and fashion accessories. Industrial grade diamonds are used for cutting and drilling.
Geological facts
Diamond is the hardest natural substance known on Earth. Cubic zirconia is the most popular diamond simulant and was first mass-produced in scientific labs in the 1970s.
Field identification & locations
Identify by testing for heat conductivity (diamonds are highly conductive, CZ is not). In the field, diamonds can scratch any other mineral, whereas CZ will not scratch sapphire or ruby.
More like this
Other gemstone specimens
Gemstone Ring
N/A - Set piece of jewelry, likely Amethyst or Garnet with Diamond or CZ
gemstone
Ammolite
Ammolite (Biogenic Aragonite with trace elements; fossils of Placenticeras meeki and Placenticeras intercalare)
mineral
Diamond and Gold Jewelry
Carbon (Diamond) / Au (Gold)
gemstone
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite inclusions
sedimentary
Amber
Succinite (Organic Gemstone)
mineral
Cubic Zirconia (simulant) or Diamond
ZrO2 (Cubic Zirconia) or C (Diamond)
gemstone