Cubic zirconia is a man-made gemstone made from zirconium oxide and cubic zirconium and is harder than natural diamonds.
It comes in many colours, but the most popular are white and yellow. This gemstone is cheaper than diamonds, making it a good choice for those on a budget. It can be cut into any shape and used in any type of jewellery, for example, earrings.
It is a beautiful, affordable alternative to diamonds.
But where can you find cubic zirconia? Well, it can be found in many jewellery stores.
The gemstone is often used as a diamond simulant because it has similar optical properties to diamonds. It is also used in industrial applications and can be found in some hardware stores.
To find cubic zirconia, start by looking in jewellery stores or online jewellers. You can also search for "cubic zirconia" on websites like Amazon or eBay. On the other hand, if you're looking for industrial applications of cubic zirconia, try searching for "cubic zirconia" on Google or another search engine.
Interesting, right? Let’s go learn about it more in this article.
How is Cubic Zirconia Made?
Cubic zirconia is created in a lab by using zirconium oxide and other materials. The zirconium oxide is heated until it becomes molten and then cooled very quickly. This process creates a crystal structure that is very similar to diamonds.
Cubic Zirconia vs Diamond: A Comparison
Price and Value
When shopping for cubic zirconia or diamond jewellery, it is important to consider the price and value.
While both stones are beautiful and have their own unique properties, they vary greatly in price. Cubic zirconia is much less expensive than diamonds but does not have the same value. Diamonds are rarer and more durable, making them worth more money.
Beauty and Brilliance
When it comes to beauty and brilliance, there is no clear winner between cubic zirconia and diamond. Both stones have their own unique sparkle and shine that can make any jewellery piece stand out. However, there are some key differences between the two stones that may make one more suitable for you than the other.
Cubic zirconia is well-known for being an affordable alternative to diamonds. It is harder than most other gemstones, making it a durable choice for everyday wear.
Diamond, on the other hand, is the hardest natural material on Earth. This makes it an excellent choice for an engagement ring and other fine jewellery that will be worn for a lifetime. Diamonds are also very rare, which contributes to their high value.
Durability and Density
Cubic zirconia and diamond are two of the hardest materials on earth. But how do they compare when it comes to durability and density?
Cubic zirconia is made of zirconium oxide, a material that is nearly as hard as diamond. However, cubic zirconia is less durable than diamond because it is more brittle. This means that it can be scratched or chipped more easily than a diamond.
When it comes to density, both cubic zirconia and diamond are very dense. However, diamond is slightly more dense than cubic zirconia. This means that a diamond will weigh more than cubic zirconia of the same size.
How to Differentiate Cubic Zirconia from Diamonds
Cubic zirconia and diamonds may look similar to the untrained eye, but there are several ways to tell them apart. Here are a few tips on how to differentiate cubic zirconia from diamonds:
Check the hardness
Diamonds are one of the hardest materials on earth, while cubic zirconia is much softer. This means that if you try to scratch a diamond with something like a nail or a piece of paper, it won't make a mark. But if you do the same thing to cubic zirconia, it will leave a noticeable scratch.
Look at the refraction
Brilliance is measured by refraction or the refractive index. Except for Moissanite, diamonds have the highest refractive index of all gemstones which is 2.42. Compared to diamonds, cubic zirconia is 2.16. In other words, diamonds are brighter than cubic zirconia.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between cubic zirconia and a diamond, it really depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for a stone that is completely colourless and has the highest level of hardness, then a diamond is the better choice.
However, if you are looking for a stone that is less expensive and has a similar appearance to a diamond, then cubic zirconia would be the better choice.
FAQS
What is the difference between a real diamond and cubic zirconia?
When it comes to diamonds, there are two types: real and cubic zirconia. So, what is the difference between the two? For starters, a real diamond is made of carbon, while cubic zirconia is made of zirconium oxide. Real diamonds are also much harder than cubic zirconia. In fact, diamonds are the hardest natural material on Earth. This means that they're more difficult to scratch and chip. However, cubic zirconia is still quite durable and scratch-resistant. Cubic zirconia is also cheaper than real diamonds.
When it comes to appearance, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a real diamond and cubic zirconia. Both are colourless and have a high level of shine.
Is cubic zirconia the same as a lab-created diamond?
No, cubic zirconia is not the same as a lab-created diamond. While they may look similar to the untrained eye, there are several key differences between the two.
Cubic zirconia is made from zirconium oxide and is synthesised in a laboratory. Lab-created diamonds, on the other hand, are made from carbon that has been subjected to high pressure and temperature in order to create a diamond.
Cubic zirconia is less hard than diamonds and, therefore, can be scratched more easily. It also has a different refractive index, meaning that it sparkles differently than diamonds.
So while cubic zirconia may be a cheaper alternative to diamonds, it is not the same thing.
How do you tell if a diamond is real?
A diamond is one of the hardest natural substances on Earth. So, how can you tell if your diamond is real?
There are a few simple tests you can do at home to determine if your diamond is the real deal. The first test is the fog test. Simply breathe on your diamond and see if the fog lingers or quickly dissipates. If the fog lingers, then you have a real diamond on your hands!
The next test is the scratch test. Take your diamond and find a hard surface, like a piece of ceramic tile. Gently scratch the surface with your diamond. If there is a visible scratch mark, then it's probably not a real diamond. However, if there is no visible scratch mark, then congratulations! You likely have a real diamond.
Does cubic zirconia shine like diamonds?
Cubic zirconia is often used as a cheaper alternative to diamonds. But does it shine just as brightly?
Cubic zirconia is a man-made stone that is often used in jewellery as a cheaper alternative to diamonds. While cubic zirconia does have a similar appearance to diamonds, there are some key differences. One of the most important factors in determining the quality of a diamond is its ability to refract light. This is what gives diamonds their characteristic sparkle. When it comes to light refraction, cubic zirconia falls short of diamonds.
Cubic zirconia has a lower refractive index and dispersion than diamonds, meaning that it doesn't absorb and reflect light in the same way. As a result, cubic zirconia doesn't have the same sparkle as diamonds.
