mineral (synthetic)

Pink Cubic Zirconia (CZ)

Zirconium Dioxide (ZrO2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 8.0-8.5 Mohs scale; Color: Pink (doped with trace elements); Luster: Adamantine (diamond-like); Crystal Structure: Cubic; Specific Gravity: 5.6-6.0; Cleavage: None.

Hardness: 8
Color: Pink (doped with trace elements)
Luster: Adamantine (diamond-like)

Identified March 13, 2026More mineral (synthetic) →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 8.0-8.5 Mohs scale; Color: Pink (doped with trace elements); Luster: Adamantine (diamond-like); Crystal Structure: Cubic; Specific Gravity: 5.6-6.0; Cleavage: None.

Formation & geological history

Formed through the 'Skull Melting' process where zirconium oxide powder is heated with radio-frequency waves until it melts, then slowly cooled to form cubic crystals. This is a laboratory-grown material first perfected in the 1970s.

Uses & applications

Primarily used in jewelry as a diamond simulant due to its high dispersion and low cost. Also used in industrial applications for thermal insulation and abrasive coatings.

Geological facts

Cubic Zirconia is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide. While rare natural occurrences exist in microscopic quantities (Tazheranite), almost all CZ in existence is man-made. It is roughly 1.7 times heavier than a diamond of the same size.

Field identification & locations

Usually found in jewelry settings rather than the field. To identify, check for high dispersion (flashes of color) and a lack of natural inclusions under a loupe. It is much denser than regular glass or quartz.