What gemstone is cubic zirconia?

Looking at rings and earrings with stones in the window of a jewelry store, few who are not experienced in gemology will be able to distinguish a beautifully cut cubic zirconia from a diamond. Unless the price gives away the “little brother” of the girls’ best friend.

A stone made for weapons

The artificial diamond was not born for jewelry purposes. In 1968, Soviet physicists struggled to create a particularly thin laser beam. To create a high-precision laser system, artificial stones of various structures were grown in laboratory conditions. Some specimens were discarded and turned into souvenirs. Having accidentally fallen into the hands of a jeweler, such a stone was cut and, as a joke, inserted into a piece of jewelry. The result delighted even the most experienced. Few people were able to distinguish an artificial diamond from a natural one. The difference was only noticeable in hardness: a diamond edge could leave a scratch where the edge of a laboratory-grown sample would leave only a barely noticeable mark. In honor of the Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FIAN), where the unusual crystal was first grown, the newcomer was named cubic zirconia. The name turned out to be jewel-like and memorable. The technology for growing pebbles, invented in Russia, gradually spread throughout the world.

Shine of edges and play of colors

Today cubic zirconia is not perceived as an artificial stone. It is popular among jewelry lovers along with natural minerals. In the windows of jewelry stores, cubic zirconia decorates both gold and silver items of varying complexity. It would be wrong to assume that artificial crystals are exclusively transparent stones. Thanks to the addition of various chemicals to zirconium dioxide, cubic zirconias acquire different colors.

For science and beauty

A great success for the jewelry industry was the achievement of scientists who were able to grow an almost perfect crystal. Without knowing it, they created the perfect material, excellent in processing. Cubic zirconias are crystals of the highest, namely cubic system. Their crystal lattice has equal faces (in scientific translation), located at right angles. The samples lend themselves well to cutting and, in any frame, delight the eye with the perfection of their form. Despite the instability of the starting raw material, zirconium dioxide, the crystals obtained from it are heat-resistant. Their melting point exceeds 2500°C. Moreover, up to 300°C these stones are absolute dielectrics. Cubic zirconia is grown from the molten mass at a speed of 8-10 mm/h.
The refractive index of light in them is close to that of diamond – 2,15-2,25. This makes the mineral ideal for use in optical instruments to achieve the highest precision, for example, in navigation, guidance systems, etc.

Cubic zirconia or diamond?

From time immemorial, jewelry sellers, in the hope of making money, tried to pass off both transparent stones and ordinary glass as diamonds. In ancient India, jewelers used zircon with a silicon base as diamond analogues. But its refractive index was inferior to that of a diamond. Often the substitution was discovered during the sale of jewelry. The external resemblance of cubic zirconia to diamond can often be misleading. And the similarity of their physical properties makes their identification even more difficult. But there are a number of signs that can reveal artificial stone. Natural diamond is so transparent in purity that when placed in an X-ray machine, the rays pierce right through the stone, leaving the film dark. The same effect is observed with ultraviolet irradiation. Externally, an artificial crystal is more difficult to distinguish. Its cut is more rounded than that of a diamond. And this is the only significant difference. But it is noticeable only on large specimens. Small pebbles are difficult to identify even with high magnification.

Are Swarovski stones crystals or glass?

The Austrian jewelry house Swarovski Crystal has always specialized in the production of artificial crystal from lead and silicon dioxide. But Swarovski crystal rhinestones are not crystals. In terms of their chemical composition, they are glass, but with very good refraction. This means that the Swarovski crystal is not cubic zirconia. But the shine and brilliance of these products is mesmerizing and makes them no less valuable for the jewelry industry. To determine the authenticity of Swarovski crystal, you will need a magnifying loupe. It is necessary to discern the manufacturer’s micro-stamp, which is mandatory applied to each copy leaving the assembly line for sale. Magicians and psychics disagree about the energy of artificially grown stones. But they are united in one thing: cubic zirconia stone is beautiful in any color scheme and any frame. And anyone who wears jewelry with it will definitely not be subject to any negative effects. Many jewelry creations are decorated with the presence of a stone with the mysterious name cubic zirconia. Its radiance, brilliance and tints of color have conquered more than one million hearts, why not get to know it a little better?

Fianit: short dossier

The fact that cubic zirconia is an artificial stone is known everywhere – jewelers do not make secrets about the origin of the mineral. This is a synthetic diamond grown artificially in a laboratory, a budget and practical alternative to real diamonds and diamonds. Scientifically speaking, it is an imitation of diamond based on cubic zirconium dioxide, so the technical name of the stone is cubic zircon. The first cubic zirconia was produced in 1972 at the Physical Institute of the Academy of Sciences (FIAN) – hence its name. By the way, when developing synthetic diamond, the last thing scientists thought about was the jewelry industry – they needed a crystal to create a laser. And the result of many years of research was an invaluable gift for girls and designers – an artificial diamond, in no way inferior in beauty to a natural one, but at a price ten times cheaper. Visually, the laboratory counterpart is no different from the natural one, it has almost the same refractive index, greater density and high strength to serve happily ever after as a precious insert in a ring, earrings or bracelet. It is almost impossible to visually distinguish high-quality cubic zirconia from a diamond; this requires an experienced craftsman and special equipment. Interesting fact: in 10 hours you can grow several kilograms of cubic zirconia. The weight of individual diamonds can reach 400 grams, and in industrial production – four kilograms. True, the yield of a “pure” product (cut and polished stones, ready for use) after processing is no more than 15% of the original volume.

Properties and features of cubic zirconia

• has a bright, rich diamond shine due to the ability to refract light;
• the chemical composition of the crystal can change as impurities are added to it (iron oxides, uranium, calcium oxide, etc.);
• lack of cleavage and uneven fracture;
• high hardness (7.5-8.5 on the Mohs scale);
• fire resistance and heat resistance – the stone melts at a temperature of at least 2800 degrees;
• density up to 10 g/cm³, homogeneous structure, due to which the stone is resistant to scratches and other damage, although not as durable as its natural counterpart;
• perfectly smooth surface and transparency;
• resistance to acids and alkalis, but “fear” of abrasive substances, which dictates certain requirements for the care and cleaning of jewelry with artificial diamonds;
• the ability to give the crystal almost any color (the exception is emerald), including fancy, which is not typical for real diamonds;
• luminescence – under direct ultraviolet rays it emits a faint glow, depending on the original color of the mineral;
• uniform color without streaks or transitions;
• individual cubic zirconias have the “ability” to change color depending on the lighting, which makes them similar to alexandrite and other natural gems;
• fragility during operation – during cutting, the crystal crumbles and cracks greatly, which is associated with large volume losses – perhaps this is its only feature with a minus sign.

Thanks to their excellent jewelry properties, cubic zirconias are used not only as a replacement for expensive diamonds, but also to imitate other precious stones – opal, amethyst, rubies, garnet, alexandrite, sapphire.

The similarity of the crystal with natural gems gave rise to the question: are cubic zirconia gems or not?

Based on their origin and legal norms, no, legally crystals cannot be considered precious, since only minerals of natural origin can be called such. However, in terms of quality, practicality and decorative properties, artificial diamonds are in no way inferior to them, and even jewelers are often unable to recognize a “fake”.

Stone types

Different types of cubic zirconia are obtained by adding additional elements to the composition. Depending on the components, stones are obtained in a wide color palette:

• blue and cyan – the addition of cobalt and aluminum – are used to replace sapphires, topaz, aquamarine;
• yellow, red, orange – the introduction of cerium oxide in different proportions – an alternative to citrine, ruby ​​and other gems;
• champagne shade – adding holmium;
• violet, lavender – neodymium additive – violet crystals are replaced by amethysts, lavender crystals have no analogues in nature, acting as a kind of exclusive;
• light green – addition of chromium;
• turquoise – copper;
• amber – indicates the presence of praseodymium in the composition;
• shades from golden to brown – the addition of titanium;
• pink – erbium;
• black – heat treatment without chemical additives – imitation of black carbonado diamond.

In total, it is possible to create more than twenty shades of artificial diamond, with the exception of rich green and emerald. It is also possible to grow tri-color crystals and stones that change shade.

And to obtain an opaque white or black mineral, colorless crystals are exposed to high temperatures. Such stones have the ability to opalescent, refracting light within the structure and creating a matte glow effect.

In addition to color, there is a division of synthetic diamonds by quality. The highest quality stones – category AAAAA – are the most expensive, large, and are used in luxury products. For mass production of jewelry, mid-level AAA minerals are used. The lowest level in the diamond hierarchy is A – such illiquid goods are allowed for processing.

Cubic zirconia has foreign “brothers” – jevalite, diamonesque, zirconium – these are artificial gems produced using Soviet technology, but with a patented name.

And in Russia, a natural twin brother of cubic zirconia was found with completely identical properties and composition – this is the Tazheranite stone (from the name of the Tazheran Gorge, where it was first discovered). However, its extraction was considered impractical due to cheaper technology for growing it in the laboratory.

Unusual properties of cubic zirconia

Since cubic zirconias are artificial stones, they cannot have magical or occult properties. However, fans of esotericism have also identified the following:

• give the owner energy, strength and positivity, incite positive emotions, relieve sadness and melancholy;
• give creative inspiration;
• help in overcoming difficulties;
• patrons of scientists, philosophers and people of intellectual work and creative professions;
• bring financial success in business;
• help to establish working and commercial relationships.

It is generally accepted that a stone is an “empty vessel” that can be filled with any emotions and energy, on which its final properties will depend.

And jewelry with cubic zirconia has every chance of becoming a talisman that brings good luck and a talisman against negative energy.

Is it possible to distinguish cubic zirconia from a diamond?

Taking into account the outstanding external data of the mineral, the question is quite relevant: how to distinguish cubic zirconia from a real diamond, so as not to become a victim of deception?

There are several important differences between synthetic stone:

• In terms of hardness, crystals are slightly inferior to diamonds (8 versus 10 on the Mohs scale);
• the visual similarity is almost complete – artificial gems sparkle and shine just as well;
• to determine the authenticity of a stone, you need to expose it to light – cubic zirconia allows it to pass through without hindrance, but a diamond retains it, due to which the light takes the form of a luminous point inside the stone;
• The edges of a real diamond are sharper, while those of a crystal are rounded and smoothed;
• if when you breathe on the stone it fogs up, you have an artificial diamond in front of you;
• Diamonds do not heat up and remain cool in your hands for a long time.

And you can select and purchase magnificent jewelry with cubic zirconia in our online store. We have a huge selection of jewelry for every taste and from any precious materials, regular arrivals and reasonable prices.

The authenticity of stones and metals is certified by samples and certificates. And you can order goods from anywhere in Russia – we will deliver your order free of charge quickly and at a convenient time.