Cubic zirconia: what kind of stone is it and what properties does it have?

• Which: Semi-precious;
• Place of Birth: -;
• Colors: Black, green, white, blue or red.;
• Mohs hardness: 7.5-8.5;
• Transparency: Transparent or translucent;
• Density: 6.5-10 g/cm3;
• Formula: Zr0.8Ca0.2O1.92;
• Suitable person according to zodiac sign: Everyone;
• How much does it cost: from 1 dollar per gram.

The limitation of natural resources has led humanity to the creation of their synthetic analogues. Scientific developments and jewelry making were not spared.

In 1968, an artificial double of the diamond was developed - the cubic zirconia stone. Its similarity to the precious standard has given rise to many fraudulent schemes, which has provoked a negative attitude towards the valuable scientific invention.

History of invention

The artificial stone owes its name to the Physical Institute of the Lebedev Academy of Sciences (FIAN), where it was created. Initially, the goal of the research was to obtain a material with certain optical properties necessary for laser equipment.

But already in the early 70s of the last century, cubic zirconia caused panic in foreign jewelry markets: a stone almost identical to a diamond cost a penny. In the 1990s alone, crystals with a total weight of 50,000,000 carats were produced worldwide. Since then, production rates have only increased.

Not only for jewelers

In the Soviet Union, they did not think about jewelry when creating cubic zirconia. The task was to create defect-free crystals for laser production. In addition, the stones had to have specified optical properties. Nice stones that did not meet the requirements were stolen by employees. Well, don't throw away the good stuff.

For those who like details: the story is interesting, you will find its description in the book “Notes of a Forensic Expert” by L. Chernyak.

Our pebble is a hard worker. Jewelry is a recreational activity, but in general he works in the chemical industry and medicine. It is used in industrial oxygen analyzers, optical instruments, fuel cells, in the production of refractories, and in the defense industry.

Dentists make the stone work in dental crowns; surgeons make scalpels coated with cubic zirconia.

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So even without decorations, shiny stones have great meaning for us.

But the most amazing thing is that the crystal grown to work in a laser has become and remains the best imitation of a diamond.

Confusion in terminology

The term “cubic zirconia” is used only in the CIS countries and Eastern Europe.

In the global jewelry community, other names are used to describe the insert in a product:

• jewellite;
• zirconite;
• daimonsquay.

Cubic zirconia is incorrectly called zirconium. Zirconium is a metal, and only its cubic dioxide has a crystal structure.

In addition, there is zircon, a natural semi-precious stone. A mineral of igneous origin is several times more expensive than cubic zirconia.

Cubic zirconia is also often confused with Swarovski crystals, which are a proprietary type of crystal.

Areas of application of cubic zirconia

The mineral is actively used in jewelry production. Thanks to its high-quality cut, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish it from a noble diamond. The most popular are light, somewhat yellowish shades, although many crystals of different colors are also produced. The cost of jewelry with them is much lower, but it looks great.

In addition to the jewelry industry, this artificial gem is actively used in various production processes.

Helpful information

Since it has good density and high hardness, cubic zirconia is practically irreplaceable in industries such as medicine, optics and radio electronics.

It is used to make high-quality cutters for processing glass, all kinds of optical instruments, and high-precision surgical scalpels. The lab-grown stone is highly resistant to chemical attack, a property highly valued in the steel industry.

Appearance and color options

Cubic zirconium dioxide is colorless, but technology allows it to be given in more than 40 different shades.

Most Popular:

• yellow;
• pink;
• green;
• purple;
• brown with a golden tint.

In addition, a color changing effect is possible, allowing you to imitate rare and very expensive alexandrite. At the same time, scientists still cannot obtain cubic zirconia of emerald green color.

Color varieties

Cubic zirconias are:

• colorless;
• colored.

The classic version is a colorless, transparent stone. Dyes are added to make it look like other precious gems. In this case, the colors of cubic zirconia are varied.

Table of main dyes:

Saturation depends on the mass of the dye. The larger the volume of the additional element, the deeper the color. Jewelers take advantage of the developments and create jewelry with artificial sapphires, garnets, amethysts, chrysolites, etc.

Carefully!

If you purchase a product at a low price and the sellers claim that it is a jewel, be wary! Most likely, this is a skillful fake.

Precious or not?

Cubic zirconia enchants with its excellent play of light and perfect purity. In appearance, it is in no way inferior to precious stones and is difficult to distinguish from a diamond. Cubic zirconias are widely used in jewelry and make it possible to create real masterpieces, each of which has considerable value. All this leads to the question, is cubic zirconia a gemstone or not?

Cubic zirconia is often called an artificial diamond. But its origin and low cost of production devalue the magnificent appearance of the crystal - it is not at all rare. This means that cubic zirconia cannot be a precious stone.

How to care for stone

Earrings with cubic zirconia
This may seem strange, but jewelry owners do not always know how to properly care for them. Often jewelry lovers do not follow even the most basic care rules. This leads to fading and darkening of the jewelry.

What you need to know:

• Cubic zirconia does not like strong chemicals. And perfume, by the way, too. Spray them before you put on your jewelry.
• A beautiful, almost diamond-like, artificial stone does not have its strength, and therefore is very afraid of impacts and falls.
• Like natural stones, these crystals lose their luster. Cleaning cubic zirconia at home is not difficult - all you need is a soap solution and a cloth.

If you don’t have a suitable (not harsh) soap, you can clean it with alcohol. Just take it not in its pure form. Dilute 1:5 with water. Then immerse the stone in the liquid and leave it for several hours. Remove dirt with a brush.

How to distinguish cubic zirconia from a diamond?

The similarity of cubic zirconia with a diamond has led to it being used as a counterfeit of its precious “brother,” but there are several ways to help distinguish them:

1. Crystal purity. Cubic zirconia can only imitate a diamond of very good quality, without internal cracks or defects. Precious stones of perfect purity, especially large ones, are quite rare in nature. So if you see an inexpensive crystal with absolutely no flaws, it means it is cubic zirconia.
2. Quality of cut. Upon closer examination through a magnifying glass or microscope, you can notice that cubic zirconia crystals have blurred and double edges. However, if the fake is of good quality, the cutting can also be performed at the highest level.
3. Dirt-repellent properties. If you drop a little oil on the surface of a diamond, it will easily flow down the surface. Imitation tends to accumulate dust, grease and dirt, which is why it loses its shine over time.
4. Weight of the stone. Zirconium dioxide has a higher density than diamond. Two stones of the same size can be weighed: the one that turns out to be lighter is the diamond. True, this method is difficult to implement if the crystals are fixed in the product.
5. Hardness. Diamond is the hardest of all minerals; it can cut glass, but imitation will only leave a mark on the surface. In addition, a diamond can scratch cubic zirconia, but cubic zirconia cannot scratch a diamond.
6. Thermal conductivity. A natural stone can be recognized by pressing it to the cheek - the surface of the mineral almost always remains cold. More accurate identification is provided by diamond testers - devices that determine the thermal conductivity of a stone, and based on the obtained values, they can easily recognize an imitation.

Unfortunately, there are such skillful fakes that none of the above methods gives complete confidence in the authenticity of the diamond. An expert opinion and certificate for a stone can only be issued by a gemological laboratory.

Physical and chemical properties

Cubic zirconia is an artificial gem obtained in a laboratory using a melt of zirconium dioxide. To add stability to the material, the chemical composition during the synthesis process is supplemented with oxides of calcium, manganese and yttrium. The result is a colorless, highly shiny crystal that looks like a diamond, is not fragile, less hard (7.5 versus 10 for a diamond), but more dense (6.5-10 versus 3.5 for a diamond).

The physical properties and low cost of cubic zirconia made it possible to use them in various areas of human life and activity - the chemical industry, medicine, dentistry and others.

Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?

It is generally accepted that cubic zirconias are suitable for almost all zodiac signs. Before purchasing, try to listen to your own intuition - it will help you choose a stone that matches your inner self.

In addition, there are recommendations on how to choose the shade of a stone according to your horoscope:

1. Capricorn. For people born under the sign of Capricorn, stones of dark colors are recommended - rich green, gray and even black. Such shades are combined with their pragmatism and gloomy character. But muted colors do not enhance the gloominess of their owner, but, on the contrary, allow one to consider one’s own positive traits.
2. Aquarius. Aquarius, like other signs belonging to the element of Air, is characterized by lightness and frivolity. These character traits are best emphasized by transparent, light blue stones. For a girl born under this sign, we can recommend platinum or silver earrings with such an insert as an ideal decoration.
3. Fish. People born under the sign of Pisces are suited to all shades of stones reminiscent of the sea - blue, green, turquoise. Even a simple ring with a central cubic zirconia of this color can become a talisman for them, protecting them from the “evil eye” and envious people.
4. Aries. If you decide to buy Aries jewelry with a cubic zirconia insert, pay attention to warm, rich colors - green and yellow. They have a calming effect, which is so necessary for overly hot-tempered representatives of the element of Fire. The hardness of their character also goes well with the hardness of cubic zirconia.
5. Calf. Taurus is a zodiac sign with a soft, calm, sentimental disposition. If you give him the opportunity to choose a stone on his own, he will certainly choose yellow, green, and brown colors. They harmoniously combine with his inner “I” and give confidence in his own abilities.
6. Twins. For Gemini, the ideal stone would be amethyst. It is able to express the inclination of this zodiac sign to everything mystical and mysterious, improve intuition, and also protect its owner from ill-wishers. For daily wear, amethyst can be replaced with purple cubic zirconia.
7. Cancer. Cancer is one of the most sensitive signs of the zodiac. He needs strong protective amulets, especially those made of silver. Transparent or blue cubic zirconia would be appropriate as inserts. Stones of these shades promote high mental activity and protect against diseases.
8. A lion. Those who love attention and bright colors - Leos - are recommended to wear jewelry with rubies and garnets. This zodiac sign is a bright representative of the element of Fire, and its powerful energy can be enhanced with red or pink stones, including cubic zirconia. Such crystals will look especially good in a gold frame.
9. Virgo. Virgos are a zodiac sign with a complex character. He is characterized by pragmatism, accuracy and mysticism at the same time. To emphasize these properties, Virgos are recommended to wear stones in white, green and lavender shades.
10. Scales. Libra is a sign of the Zodiac, prone to inconstancy everywhere and in everything. Turquoise or dark blue stones can evoke a sense of peace of mind and calm the nervous system. The only exception is Libra, born from October 14 to 23: astrologers recommend that they wear exclusively natural stones.
11. Scorpion. The patron of this sign is Mars, which gives Scorpios irrepressible energy. Talisman stones that can strengthen it are dark red garnet, tourmaline, ruby ​​or similar cubic zirconia. They have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the cardiovascular system and also bring good luck in love. In addition, Scorpio is impressed by crystals with a color-changing effect, which have the same strong energy as himself.
12. Sagittarius. As a true representative of the element of Fire, Sagittarius is capable of a flurry of emotions and feelings. But his energy must be directed in a creative direction. This is facilitated by stones of all shades of blue - from soft blue to cornflower blue, reminiscent of Kashmir sapphire.

Cubic zirconia does not have any regulations or restrictions regarding the names of its owners.

Talismans and amulets

From a magical point of view, cubic zirconias are suitable for almost everyone. On the practical side, when choosing decoration, you should consider the following points:

• Stones set in gold or platinum should be worn for special occasions, while silver is an excellent option for everyday wear.
• The pink variety is a symbol of youth and romance, that is, they are most suitable for young, pretty girls.
• Dark cubic zirconias are preferable for men's jewelry.
• Multi-colored stone looks elegant in combination with a business style. It softens the image and gives it mystery.
• Costume jewelry with cubic zirconia framed in steel or cupronickel is a youth version of jewelry.
• Large cubic zirconias, complemented by a small scattering of the same stones, look noble and elegant. Such jewelry will perfectly complement an evening outfit.
• Small artificial diamonds perfectly set off natural gems. Such products look elegant and rich. They are suitable for business meetings and gatherings in high society.

In terms of names and professions, there are no restrictions on wearing cubic zirconia. The stone is suitable for a person of any age and character.

Magic properties

Unlike natural minerals, cubic zirconia initially does not carry any energy - neither positive nor negative.
It has no defects, cracks, and is perfectly transparent. It is a clean vessel that needs to be filled. The magical properties that cubic zirconia will have depend on its owner. The crystal is able to remember any emotions, thoughts, events. It can be turned into your own amulet if you wear it at moments of success and achievements in life.

At the same time, the stone cannot be given into the wrong hands, even temporarily. If you were given a product with cubic zirconia that has already been used, you need to carry out a cleansing procedure: put it in a vessel with spring water or hold it over a flame.

Cubic zirconia is called the stone of loneliness. He is forced to constantly be in the shadow of his “big brothers” - precious and semi-precious stones, to act as an imitation and counterfeit. Some esotericists believe that he personifies duplicity and falsehood, but this is not so.

The damaged reputation of cubic zirconia is a consequence of human actions aimed at easily making a profit by deception.

Cubic zirconia brings good luck:

• travelers;
• careerists;
• scientists;
• any lonely people.

It helps to do a large amount of work in a short time and has a beneficial effect on the overall tone of the body. At the same time, synthetic imitation diamonds are not recommended for people with clear leadership qualities.

Professional authentication methods

When combining different home testing methods, the result is most likely to be correct. However, there are cases when the fake is made so well that it is impossible to do without the help of special equipment and expert knowledge. The hardest thing is to distinguish between diamond and moissanite, but cubic zirconia sometimes confronts a person with a non-trivial task. In general terms, we will convey how professionals work in such cases.

By reflection

The specialist takes a special device and analyzes the crystal. Diamond, glass, cubic zirconia or other material will have different reflection coefficients. This cannot be determined by eye, and the necessary device costs a lot.

By conductivity of electricity

Synthetic stones are semiconductors, meaning they conduct electricity. Experts have equipment that allows them to evaluate the degree of conductivity and make a conclusion about whether the stone is real.

Using a microscope

This magnifying device will allow you to see what is hidden from the most powerful magnifying glasses. The smallest defects, cutting features, sharpness of edges - these signs will indicate authenticity or fakeness.

Through an electron microscope you can see the grain structure of the crystal. In synthetic stones, at this magnification, clusters of microscopic-sized single crystals are visible. They seem to have grown together. In natural materials, single crystals are faceted.

Another option is to combine a polariscope with a microscope, and then in polarized light you will see “copies” of the seed crystal. Any single crystal, no matter how it grows, will repeat the shape of the seed. And the seed itself will be visible as a darkened zone in the middle of the former uncut crystal.

What stones does it go with?

A laboratory-grown crystal can be combined with any natural stones. From a decorative point of view, the most versatile is colorless cubic zirconia - it sits well alongside transparent topazes, amethysts, citrines, and garnets. Surrounded by small cubic zirconias, each of these stones will shine brighter.

The proximity to cubic zirconia also enhances the energetic impact of natural minerals. Any piece of jewelry that combines a precious stone and an artificial one will be a powerful talisman. It must be worn with caution.

Let's look at the names

We bought a nice ring or earrings abroad, and the tag says CZ (Cubic Zirconia). This "cubic zirconia" means that the cubic zirconia insert is not a gemstone.

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In general, poor cubic zirconia is insulted by all and sundry. Zirconium cube, zircon, zirconium - as many names as they called it. But the creators gave their invention a name - cubic zirconia. That's what you call it.

• Zircon is a mineral.
• Zirconium is a metal.
• Cubic zirconia (zirconium dioxide) is a crystal obtained artificially.

Abroad, cubic zirconia is called:

• Diamond Sky;
• zirconite;
• jevalit;
• cubic zirconium (Cubic Zirconia);
• shelby

Wits call it “the poor man’s diamond.”

Jewelry

Availability and wide range of colors have ensured cubic zirconia's high popularity in jewelry. Artificial stone is found in products made of silver, gold, and platinum.

It can favorably set off the central gem in a carmesine frame or even sit next to a diamond - however, the latter combination is considered unethical.

However, cubic zirconia allows you to create jewelry of high artistic value, comparable to works of art.

This is an excellent educational material for novice jewelers, which is easy to purchase at hardware stores. The synthetic analogue gives everyone the opportunity to buy bold, stylish, unusual products or restore their favorite jewelry for a low fee.

What is a diamond?

Ordinary people often confuse diamonds and diamonds, believing that they are two different precious stones. In fact, a diamond is a very well-cut diamond. And diamonds have many uses:

• they are used in industry, for example, to create extremely hard saws and drills;
• they are processed and turned into valuable jewelry;
• They are used to make special coatings, for example, for frying pans, so that food does not burn.

The chemical composition of diamonds and rough diamonds is identical, so the only difference is in the scope of application and the presence of a cut. There are a lot of industrial diamonds in the world, but there are few suitable for turning into diamonds, and this gives them special value.

Charms with cubic zirconia

The ability to accumulate and multiply energy makes it possible to use the crystal to create various amulets.

The most common of them:

• horseshoe;
• scooping spoon;
• Tibetan knot of happiness;
• Four-leaf clover;
• star of Erzgamma.

There are also pagan amulets with cubic zirconia inserts. Thanks to crystals, their protective effect is enhanced.

No inclusions.

One of the most important differences between cubic zirconia and diamond is that cubic zirconia is virtually flawless. Since it is created artificially, its structure is homogeneous.

Even the most flawless diamonds have some internal defects. Some of these imperfections are not visible to the naked eye and you may have to use a loupe or microscope to see them, but there are no natural diamonds without imperfections.

Therefore, if, upon careful examination of the surfaces of the stone, you do not find any inclusions or other imperfections at all, most likely it is not a natural diamond.

Care

Products with cubic zirconia should be wiped with a damp cloth and protected from exposure to cosmetics and chlorine. It is better to remove such jewelry while doing housework.

To extend the life of the stone, it is worth protecting it from possible scratches and mechanical damage. It is advisable to store jewelry in a closed case.

Types of stone and their characteristics

The difference between a stone and a natural diamond is that it has different color shades. Although it is usually completely transparent, when grown in the laboratory the raw material is enriched with certain metals, they eventually form a certain color:

By selecting various combinations from these options, scientists were able to obtain stones of many shades. Now jewelers offer jewelry with a golden-yellow color, similar to topaz and citrine, blue or blue, like aquamarine or sapphire, red, reminiscent of a ruby, black, like a diamond, morion, purple, similar to alexandrite. The only thing that couldn’t be reproduced was the emerald green tone. When chromium is added, a golden-green hue is achieved, similar to peridot rather than emerald. Otherwise, the stone is capable of repeating the colors of almost any precious gem.

Although what is more important is that it has an amazing play of light, which surpasses even a diamond in its optical parameters. Therefore, the decision of jewelry craftsmen to actively use the mineral for insertion into jewelry was justified.

How the properties of cubic zirconia affect the psyche of its owner

Depending on the color of the stone, its effect on the human psyche is different.

1. White or transparent enhances qualities such as responsiveness, honesty, purity of thoughts, and the desire for spiritual development.
2. Pink imparts sensuality, positive emotions, and romance.
3. Yellow protects against envy, strengthens the nervous system, fights insomnia and depression. Gives willpower, inspiration, sensitivity.
4. Green helps to find inner harmony, peace of mind, and feel unity with nature. Gives you the opportunity to get rid of aggression, soften your character and learn to clearly express your thoughts.
5. Blue enhances intuition, gives an influx of inspiration and new creative opportunities, and imparts lightness and tenderness.
6. Blue relieves anxiety, emotional excitement, fears, adds modesty, a sense of justice and honesty to the owner’s character.
7. Black imparts confidence, rational thinking, determination, and business acumen.