Cubic Zirconia is the most widely used diamond simulant (imitation diamond) in jewelry today. It is very popular because it visually resembles a diamond, is much less expensive than a diamond yet is very durable. This guide briefly covers how cubic zirconia is made, its history and how cubic zirconia compares to diamonds.

Technology and History: Cubic Zirconia is Zirconium Oxide which is a mineral that is very rare in nature. Zirconia has a very high melting point of 2750 degrees Celsius which posed a problem to producing and growing the crystals. Research was performed in Germany and France on how to produce the substance but it was the Russians who perfected the technique in the 1970's. They found a process to heat zirconia powder until it becomes extremely hot. Then it is carefully cooled to produce flawless crystals. They are then cut into gemstones. Sometimes different metal oxides are added during the manufacturing process to produce a variety of stunning colors such as red, green, purple and pink.

Cubic Zirconia vs. diamonds: Cubic Zirconia so closely resembles diamonds that it takes a trained professional to tell the difference, often using a microscope and other tools. On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness diamonds are a 10 while cubic zirconia is 8.5. While not as hard as diamonds, cz is still harder than many gemstones.

Diamonds are usually judged by the four Cs: carat, clarity, color, and cut.

Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. Cubic Zirconia stones are 1.7 times heavier than diamonds of the same size. To compare the two stones one should go by the size and not the weight.

Clarity refers to the flaws or inclusions of a diamond. Diamonds usually have some sort of flaw. However, cz, due to its manufacturing process, is flawless.

Color In terms of color, diamonds are rarely truly colorless. On the other hand, cz can be produced to be totally colorless.

Cut refers to how a diamond has been shaped and polished. The idea is to cut the diamond to reflect the maximum amount of light and increase the sparkle. Cubic zirconia refracts and disperses light somewhat differently than diamonds so they are cut to take this into account.

Many people buy cubic zirconia because it is so much more affordable than diamonds, yet looks just as good. Another reason to buy it is to protect yourself from losing an expensive item. Whatever your reason, you will still end up with an attractive piece of jewelry.