Cubic Zirconia Diamond Simulant (Zirconium Dioxide)

The ever popular and economical choice known as a cubic zirconiam is a synthetic gemstone with varying qualities. You can find these in costume jewelry stores, your local mall, clothing stores, really just about anywhere. There are varying grades of cubic zirconia, some resemble diamonds so much that it may be undetectable without using specialized equipment.Physical and optical properties of cubic zirconia vary due to the recipe of stabilizer used by the individual manufacturers and can take on properties all ranges of clairty & color. High quality CZs actually are somewhat superior to diamonds in their color (they can reach a perfect ‘D’ colorless), dispersion (reflection off the surface of the gem), clarity (they can be internally flawless, and have a lower refractive index (more ‘fire’). The downside is the hardness of CZs is about an 8, which makes it more vulnerable to scratching and dulling from everyday wear and tear. Available in just about every color, this is a low cost alternative to diamonds and other mined gems. The creation process is similar to that of moissanite as it is grown in a labratory.