Cubic Zirconia

Cubic Zirconia jewelry

Etymology and history

The cubic zirconia is a synthetic stone. CZ" as it is sometimes referred to in the industry, came on the market around 1978. And the prices at first were quite high when compared to current price levels. The first cubic zirconia was made in Russia, for the purpose of laser technology.

Cubic Zirconia description

Cubic zirconia (or CZ) is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). The synthesized material is hard, optically flawless and usually colorless, but may be made in a variety of different colors. It should not be confused with zircon, which is a zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4). It is sometimes erroneously called "cubic zirconium". Cubic zirconia is sort of an oxymoron...that meaning that it is really a contradiction of terms. Mainly because zirconium is not only a metal, but it crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system in the form of the gemstone called zircon. However, zircon is a zirconium silicate, while a cubic zirconia is a zirconium oxide. The importance of this is that by substituting the oxygen for the silicon, the zirconium metal can be forced to crystallize in the cubic crystal system.

Cubic Zirconia in jewelry

Cubic Zirconia is one of the most popular stone used in jewelry. Cut often adds as much or more value to the piece than the material itself. That why jewelry with cubic zirconia looks beautiful and expensive. Zubic zirconia is well known as a substitute for diamonds.

Occurrence

This is a synthetic stone and is made in laboratory around of the World.