gemstone
Diamond or Cubic Zirconia
Carbon (diamond) or Zirconium dioxide (cubic zirconia)
A faceted, colorless, highly reflective, and refractive stone. If diamond, Mohs hardness 10. If CZ, Mohs hardness ~8-8.5.
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Physical properties
A faceted, colorless, highly reflective, and refractive stone. If diamond, Mohs hardness 10. If CZ, Mohs hardness ~8-8.5.
Formation & geological history
Natural diamonds form deep in the Earth's mantle under high pressure and temperature over billions of years. Cubic Zirconia is synthetically created in a lab.
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry, decorative items. Diamonds are also used in industrial cutting/grinding tools.
Geological facts
Cubic Zirconia is the most common diamond simulant. Without professional testing, it can be difficult to tell them apart visually from a simple photo.
Field identification & locations
Identify using a diamond tester, thermal conductivity probe, or by checking for double refraction/dispersion under specialized magnification.
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Other gemstone specimens
Cubic Zirconia (simulant) or Diamond
ZrO2 (Cubic Zirconia) or C (Diamond)
gemstone
Ammolite
Ammolite (Biogenic Aragonite with trace elements; fossils of Placenticeras meeki and Placenticeras intercalare)
mineral
Cubic Zirconia (or possibly Diamond)
Zirconium dioxide (or Carbon)
gemstone
Red Jasper
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) with Hematite inclusions
sedimentary
Faceted Gemstone
Unknown transparent mineral, possibly Diamond (C), Cubic Zirconia (ZrO2), Quartz (SiO2), or Glass
gemstone
Milky Quartz
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
mineral