Cubic zirconium - what is it?

Cubic Zirconia – The word “cubic” refers to the symmetry of its crystals, and “zirconia” refers to its chemical composition (zirconium oxide). Cubic zirconia stones are made from a mixture of high purity zirconium oxide powders stabilized with magnesium and calcium.

Cubic zirconia is virtually flawless compared to zircons that have inclusions or other imperfections.

External features

Many people cannot understand the difference between cubic zirconia and diamonds. Optically flawless and usually colorless—equivalent to a D on the diamond color grading scale—cubic zirconia has less sparkle than diamond but with brighter flashes of color. Cubic zirconia can also be created in a rainbow of colors by adding various metal oxides in the process. Cubic zirconia can be custom made in a variety of shades. The color is uniform, in lighter colors such as pink and purple there may be slight color variations.

General information

Zirconium is presented in the form of various chemical compounds - oxides or salts, of which scientists know more than forty units. Back in 1789, the chemist Klaproth isolated zirconium oxide from hyacinth stone. For a long time it was not possible to obtain the metal in its pure form. And only at the beginning of the 20th century did this become possible.

Experimentally, zirconium was obtained using the “building-up” method . During these manipulations, it is deposited on a tungsten filament, which is preheated. The cost of the metal obtained in this way was very high. Scientists soon developed a low-cost industrial version called the Kroll method. Its essence is that the procedure of chlorination of zirconium dioxide is first carried out, and after that the substance is reduced with magnesium metal.

The resulting metal is melted into rods and sent to the final consumer. In addition to this method, there are other industrial methods of production - alkaline and fluoride. It turns out that zirconium has specific properties: it has high activity inherent in metals (of which it is a representative), but its manifestations do not occur in an open form.

In appearance, zirconium is very similar to steel. Its most important property under normal conditions is corrosion resistance. In addition, it lends itself well to processing by rolling, rolling, and forging. A special oxide film, which cannot be seen by the human eye, reliably protects the metal from the effects of water vapor. When the temperature increases to 300ºС, its slow destruction occurs, and at 700ºС complete oxidation occurs.

In addition to the properties described above, metal zirconium has high heat resistance, is resistant to alkalis, ammonia or acids, and holds radiation well. Zirconium powder and shavings have completely different qualities in air - these elements can explode and spontaneously ignite even at room temperature.

Zirconium, when interacting with a large number of metals, forms alloys. Adding it in small doses significantly improves the characteristics of the latter, increasing strength and resistance to corrosion. However, if you add other metals to zirconium, this will only worsen its characteristics, so this method is not in demand.

Durability of cubic zirconia

Cubic zirconia, which scores 8.5 on the Mohs scale and is highly durable, is suitable for use in all types of jewelry. The world-famous jewelry house Pandora offers in its assortment bracelets, earrings, rings, charms and necklaces with zircons.

How to distinguish natural zircon from a fake?

There are several ways to help distinguish a real stone:

To distinguish natural zircon from cubic zirconia, you should remember the characteristics of the stone. Transparent specimens themselves are very rare, however, they will certainly contain inclusions, voids, etc. Cubic zirconia in any case will be transparent, like a tear.
Zircon shimmers exactly like diamond, but where there are any inclusions there is a resinous tint.
Zircon has a very low density compared to cubic zirconia, therefore, stones of the same size will differ in weight - zircon will be lighter than a fake.
Zircon is often radioactive. If you have a device that measures radiation levels, it can help determine the naturalness of the stone.

Rules of care

In order for jewelry to retain its flawless appearance and incredible shine for as long as possible, it is recommended to store it separately in a box or special bag to avoid scratches. Clean with warm, soapy water and a gentle brush. Ultrasonic cleaners should be used with caution. It is strictly forbidden to drop heavy objects onto jewelry.

Connections

The next stage in the production of zirconium is the preparation of its compounds from acidic solutions. The following technologies can be used for this:

crystallization of zirconium oxychloride by evaporation of hydrochloric acid solutions;
hydrolytic precipitation of sulfates;
crystallization of zirconium sulfate.

Mythology and associations

Cubic zirconia lacks the historical significance that natural gemstones have. However, it was the perfect crystal structures that made the beauty and popularity of the innovative stone undeniable. In the 1970s, it became an affordable alternative to diamonds. It is difficult to determine the origin of mined natural diamonds, but cubic zirconia is fully traceable.

Pandora offers the following grades of zirconium: clear, sunny yellow, yellow, unusual gold, pink, light red, fuchsia, cubic zirconia orchid, red, orange, light gold, frosty mint, blue, blue, turquoise, green, black . The price of products depends on the type of product, material (gold, silver), complexity of production and the type of zircon used.

Magical properties of the mineral

Since ancient times, the zircon stone has been considered a very powerful amulet, not only protecting its owner, but also giving him additional abilities. However, large specimens were not worn, since they deprived the owners of strength and energy.

A pendant in the form of a double pyramid is used by magicians, mystics and psychics. It is believed that such framing helps to sharpen the senses and awaken the gift of clairvoyance.
Zircon enhances masculine energy, which is why it is used in rings for the stronger sex.
Women love jewelry with it for its ability to impart confidence in actions, strengthen intuition and acumen in business matters.
The magical properties of zircon stone are enhanced by conspiracies to increase financial well-being and success in business. Green, brown or yellow shades of gems are suitable for this purpose.
Helps people with different thoughts: both good and bad. For this reason, amulets with these precious stones were popular among members of the mafia and other inhabitants of the underworld.
It is believed that jewelry and accessories with zircon are ideal for those who work in the judiciary. The mineral gives the owner the ability to easily learn secrets and reveal the most confusing incidents.
Philosophers, researchers and people seeking to change their lives for the better choose colorless Matar diamonds. Such gems help to find peace of mind, find the right path, and comprehend the truth.
Precious red or orange zircon in any setting protects its owner who is far from his homeland. It is recommended to take it on trips and long business trips.
Stones of a rich or delicate blue hue help to forget old love, heal emotional wounds and begin to enjoy life. Lonely girls with jewelry inlaid with such minerals attract the attention of representatives of the opposite sex. The gem favors the arrangement of the fate of those who do not have a soulmate.
People involved in trade are recommended to wear jewelry with zircon before a major transaction or on the eve of entering the workplace.

The stone greatly enhances its magical properties when framed in precious metals: 585 karat gold and 925 rhodium plated silver.

Origin of crystals

In the mid-1970s, Russian scientists discovered how to grow cubic zirconia crystals in the laboratory. Originally created for use in laser technology to make up for the lack of natural rubies to generate laser beams, the stone was developed using technology similar to the modern microwave oven. Grown in a controlled environment with intense heat creating perfect crystal structures, this hard man-made material was soon discovered to imitate the natural beauty of diamonds and quickly introduced into the jewelry industry. Artificial stone is more popular than ever as a beautiful, durable and decorative stone in jewelry. Cubic zirconia is the most widely used Pandora stone.

Reviews

“Three years ago I bought myself zircon earrings. I was captivated by the price - only 2 thousand rubles. Advantages - they are beautiful, durable, do not rust. The disadvantage is a slightly rough surface.” Grade:

Olga, 32 years old

“My daughter gave me a zirconium bracelet on March 8th. I scolded her for a long time, because I considered all these medical “things” to be nonsense and bait from charlatans. However, I decided to try it in action and was surprised that my blood pressure was indeed normal for a long time, despite the fact that I am hypertensive.” Grade:

Valentina, 53 years old

“A young man gave me a pendant with a zircon stone. I noticed that with its appearance I began to suffer less from allergy attacks. Now, this is my talisman." Grade:

Ekaterina, 28 years old