10 Interesting Facts About Cubic Zirconia You Should Know

Cubic zirconia is a highly popular gemstone in today's jewelry market, known for its stunning sparkle and affordable price. Unlike traditional gemstones, cubic zirconia is not mined from the earth. Instead, it is created in a laboratory, ensuring high quality and consistency. Despite being lab-made, cubic zirconia is just as desirable as natural gemstones. 

Over the years, it has gained immense popularity and has become a significant presence in the jewelry industry. One of the main reasons for its appeal is its resemblance to diamonds. Cubic zirconia shines brightly and looks remarkably similar to diamonds, but it comes at a fraction of the cost. This makes it an excellent choice for those who want the look of a diamond without the hefty price tag. 

Apart from its fascinating benefits and budget-friendly options, here are the 10 most interesting facts about cubic zirconia.

Fact No. 1: Discovered, Then Rediscovered

Cubic zirconia was first discovered by German mineralogists in 1937. At the time, they didn't see much potential in it and dismissed it as unimportant. Not years later, Soviet scientists came across cubic zirconia again and realized its potential uses. 

They thought it could be an excellent substitute for diamonds because of its durability and sparkling appearance. They also believed it might work in lasers instead of rubies. 

However, cubic zirconia didn't become popular in jewelry until around 1969, when people started appreciating its diamond-like qualities at a much lower cost.

Fact No. 2: Cubic Zirconia is Made from Zirconium Oxide?

Most popular gemstones take thousands of years to form naturally and are mined from the earth. However, cubic zirconia is different. Instead of being mined, it is created in a laboratory. The process involves using zirconium oxide powder to produce this sparkling gemstone. This lab creation method ensures that cubic zirconia is both high quality and consistently beautiful. 

Unlike natural gemstones, which can have imperfections due to their long formation process, cubic zirconia is flawless and can be produced in large quantities. This makes it an excellent and affordable alternative to naturally mined gemstones.

Fact No. 3: Creating Cubic Zirconia Requires Exceptionally High Heat?

Cubic zirconia is made in a controlled laboratory setting where each manufacturer has a unique method. The process starts with zirconium oxide powder and stabilizers such as magnesium and calcium. This mixture is then subjected to extremely high temperatures of around 5000˚ Fahrenheit. 

The intense heat causes the mixture to melt, and crystals begin to form and stabilize after several hours. Once the crystals are formed, they are carefully cut and polished according to the manufacturer's specific techniques. This final step ensures that the cubic zirconia stones are ready to be set into beautiful jewelry.

Fact No. 4: Hard to Tell Apart from Diamonds

Cubic zirconia and diamonds look very similar, making it difficult to tell them apart, even for trained professionals. Jewelers often need to use special tools like loupes (small magnifying glasses) and other magnifiers to examine the gemstones closely. 

One key difference is that cubic zirconia, being lab-made, doesn't have the natural flaws or inclusions that diamonds do. These inclusions are tiny imperfections that occur naturally in diamonds over thousands of years. 

Therefore, jewelers can distinguish between diamonds and cubic zirconia by looking for these imperfections.

Fact No. 5: Heavier Than Diamonds

Cubic zirconia is denser than diamonds, making it about 75% heavier than the same size. For example, if you had a diamond and a cubic zirconia stone of the same size, the cubic zirconia would weigh significantly more than the diamond.

On the Mohs hardness scale, which measures how easily a mineral can be scratched, diamonds score a perfect 10. In contrast, cubic zirconia scores between 8 and 8.5, meaning it is still hard and durable but not as much as a diamond.

Fact No. 6: Lab-Created Gemstone

Cubic zirconia is created through a chemical process in a controlled laboratory setting. This lab environment allows scientists to ensure the high quality and consistency of the gemstone. Because cubic zirconia is made in labs, it doesn't come from any specific place in nature. 

Many laboratories that produce cubic zirconia are located in countries like China and Thailand. The controlled lab setting ensures that cubic zirconia stones are flawless and can be made in large quantities.

Fact No. 7: X-Rays Can Differentiate

One way to tell the difference between diamonds and cubic zirconia is by using X-rays. This method works because diamonds and cubic zirconia refract light differently. When subjected to an X-ray, a diamond appears transparent, meaning it passes through it quickly. 

In contrast, cubic zirconia will appear as an opaque white spot because it does not allow X-rays to pass through as easily. This difference in X-ray appearance helps experts identify which gemstone is which.

Fact No. 8: Believed to Balance Health

Many believe gemstones have special properties that can affect a person's physical, mental, or spiritual health. Cubic zirconia is thought by some to balance the wearer's mental and physical well-being. 

It's also believed to help connect the wearer to higher spiritual realms, sometimes called angelic realms. These beliefs make cubic zirconia a beautiful stone; some think it can positively impact their overall health and spiritual connection.

Fact No. 9: Sometimes Confused with White Zircon

Although cubic zirconia and white zircon can look similar, they differ meaningfully. White zircon is a natural gemstone mined from the earth, while cubic zirconia is created in a lab. 

Making cubic zirconia involves combining zirconium oxide with other minerals and exposing them to high temperatures. This allows cubic zirconia to be produced in various colors by adding different metal oxides during its creation. White zircon, a natural stone, does not have this same range of color variations.

Fact No. 10: Loved for Its Sparkle

Cubic zirconia is incredibly popular among jewelry enthusiasts because of its brilliant sparkle. It has a similar appearance to diamonds but is much more affordable, making it an attractive option for people who want the look of a diamond without the high price tag. This sparkling quality makes cubic zirconia a glamorous addition to any outfit. 

It's also durable enough for everyday wear, meaning it won't easily get damaged or lost. This combination of beauty, affordability, and durability makes cubic zirconia a favorite choice for both everyday wearers and luxury jewelry collectors.

Conclusion

Cubic zirconia is a fascinating gemstone with a rich history and many unique qualities. From its lab-created origins to its striking resemblance to diamonds, it's clear why cubic zirconia has become so popular in the jewelry world. Its affordability and dazzling sparkle make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to add glamour to their collection.

Chic Jewelry offers high-quality cubic zirconia pieces that elevate your style without breaking the bank. Our collection includes a wide range of stunning designs, perfect for any occasion. Whether you're looking for an engagement ring, a pair of elegant earrings, or a beautiful necklace, Chic Jewelry has something for everyone.

For more information or to browse our collection, please visit our website or contact us today!