What Is Cubic Zirconia Stones? Truth About Cubic Zirconia Before You Buy!

Cubic zirconia, famously known as CZ, offers a dazzling sparkle as bright as a diamond. Leaving collectors, gem and jewel experts, and aficionados mesmerized and awe-inspired, many still wonder about its true nature. Is it a genuine gemstone? A synthetic diamond? 

The guide here explains what a cubic zirconia stone is, making it a key for an informed purchase. Unraveling undiscovered facts about CZ, the guide deeply explores every essential truth about CZ, known primarily for its scientific origins. It carves a special place at the heart of modern jewelry. 

Spanning 35 years, LA Chic Jewelry has acquired an expertise in crafting exquisite pieces with high-quality, AAA-certified Cubic Zirconia. Our master craftspeople, with their knowledge and passion for jewels and gemstones, cover three generations of skilled artistry. 

Our expert artisans have first-hand experience of how remarkable stone offers an accessible path to luxury. Therefore, before you opt for your next piece, dive deep to learn key facts about CZ stones' history, properties, and benefits. 

The Story of CZ: A Gemstone Born from Science

From its appearance to its use, this very diamond lookalike is a lab-created gemstone made of zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂). Developed in the 1970s, this very affordable diamond alternative has risen in stature and popularity worldwide, thanks to its striking visual beauty and mesmerizing aesthetics that bedazzle the jewelry and gemstone world, offering an unimaginable resemblance to natural gemstones. 

While it may look like a diamond, cubic zirconia is not a lab-created diamond; it has an entirely different chemical composition. It is an artificially made stone that has stood out for years, gaining a defining presence through its own merits. 

Origins and Historical Timeline

Having its roots associated with the mineral form of zirconium dioxide, known as baddeleyite, was discovered in 1892. This very synthetic gemstone, CZ, as we know it today, is a 20th-century innovation that revolutionized jewelry. 

Soviet and French scientists pioneered techniques for growing single-crystal CZ in the 1960s and 70s. Commercial production began in 1976. By the 1980s, CZ had firmly established itself as a household staple, ruling the fashion and fine jewelry markets. 

Difference in the Chemical Makeup

Diamond, a pure form of carbon formed deep within the Earth’s core, is created under immense pressure. Cubic zirconia, on the contrary, is zirconium dioxide stabilized to forge a cubic crystalline form, perfectly mimicking the way diamond would reflect light. 

The foundational difference in chemical structure and makeup sets clear demarcations between the two stones, endowing them with their one-of-a-kind physical and optical characteristics and adding a sense of individuality of their own. 

Cubic Zirconia vs. Diamond: Eyeball-to-Eyeball Comparison

To help you choose between cubic zirconia and diamond, we have drawn a head-to-head comparison that clearly highlights the differences and provides a detailed understanding of both. At LA Chic Jewelry, we believe in transparency, helping you appreciate the distinct qualities of our AAA-certified CZ.

Durability Metrics

On the Mohs scale of hardness, a diamond scores a perfect 10, making it the hardest known natural mineral. CZ ranks comparatively lower, with a rating of around 8-8.5. The durability metrics, however, still showcase the durability, suitability, and everyday practical wear; their material toughness means that the facet edges of a CZ stone are slightly rounded with regular use and contact. 

Material Mass

Density and weight are the two determining factors that show that cubic zirconia is significantly denser than its natural counterpart. With a specific gravity that ranges from 5.6 to 6.0, CZ is 1.65 times heavier than a diamond of the same size. An intricate and quite subtle detail, something that only an expert jeweler could figure out simply by feeling and sensing the diamond alternative. 

Optical Brilliance

When discussing light behavior properties, that is, radiance and refraction, it closely circumscribes the ability of a gemstone to effectively bend and reflect the light, gauged by its refractive index. A diamond has an RI of 2.42, while cubic zirconia's RI is slightly lower, ranging from 2.15 to 2.18. The difference displayed here is directly proportional to the stone’s brilliance, thus indicating the amount of light it could reflect. 

Prismatic Effect

Splitting of white light into a band of several colors, thus signifying dispersion, creates an effect known as “fire.” Cubic zirconia exhibits a higher dispersion rate. (0.058–0.066) than a diamond (0.044). Such a flamboyant splitting leads to a much pronounced, vibrant rainbow effect. This very effect is indicative of the difference between the two. 

Surface Brilliance

Both these vibrant gems possess an adamantine, or diamond-like, luster, exuding a sparkling shine that mesmerizes with a perpetual charm and timeless elegance. It is, however, under magnification that a jeweler would notice polish marks on CZ's facets run in the same direction, a characteristic that is typically not found on a diamond.

UV Fluorescence

When these sparkling gemstones are exposed to shortwave UV light, most CZ stones will fluoresce a distinct yellow, greenish-yellow, or beige color. Diamonds, on the contrary, would innately fluoresce blue; their levels of glimmer, however, could vary.  

Crafting Excellence: Synthesizing Cubic Zirconia 

An iconic feat of modern science, the marvel of high-quality cubic zirconia is a milestone in scientific advancement. The most common technique here is the skull-melting method, which ensures the finesse, perfection, purity, and flawlessness of the CZ gemstone remain intact.

• Ingredients mixed: The process begins with mixing pure zirconium dioxide powder with a stabilizer, most often yttrium oxide.

• Extreme Temperatures Melting: The mixture is placed in a water-cooled crucible and heated to extreme temperatures (around 4,982°F or 2,750°C) using radio waves. The outer layer of the powder, known as the skull, remains solid and contains the molten core. 

• Restricted Cooling and Crystallization: The melt is gradually cooled. This slow-cooling process leads to the formation of elongated crystals that can be cut and polished into gemstones. 

This precise method enables us to create flawless, AAA-certified stones for our custom rings at LA Chic Jewelry. Ready to see the quality for yourself? Schedule a call with our designers today.

A Spectrum of Beauty: Vibrant Yet Subtle Hues

The spectrum of visually striking aesthetics and the enduring, subtle, characteristic beauty of CZ are among its exciting, captivating aspects. By combining trace elements via a process called doping, a spectrum of enduring beauty and visual pleasure can be created in any color imaginable. 

• Cerium creates yellow, orange, and red hues. 

• Chromium results in a vibrant green.

• Cobalt exudes lilac, violet, and deep blue shades.

• Erbium garnishes the stones with a delicate pink color.

• Neodymium yields a rich purple.

Here, you are a witness to a diverse range of colors imparting the rich, vibrant hues, making way for endless creativity in those noticeable yet intricate jewelry designs. From quintessential clear stones to bold, enrapturing, contemporary pieces, you are free to inquire now and put forth your vision with our experts if you have any particular color in mind. 

Beyond Jewelry: The Many Uses of Cubic Zirconia

Known for a nuanced application beyond its timeless, contemporary, and most renowned use in fashion and jewelry, cubic zirconia's characteristic properties make it a valuable gemstone, well-suited to the requirements of various industries. Its optical clarity and durability are utilized in:

• Optical Components: Everything from windows to lenses and filters. 

• Medical Instruments: Fabricating sharp surgical tools like scalpels.

• Technology: Serving as substrates for semiconductor and superconductor films.

The Ethical and Sustainable Choice

For a conscious consumer, cubic zirconia underlines significant advantages. Being lab-grown, the diamond lookalike is entirely free of environmental damage and the human rights concerns associated with mining operations. 

Opting for a CZ is a conflict-free, sustainable decision that does not contribute to any of those human rights abuses. Choosing a CZ does not sacrifice beauty or compromise quality and performance. Such dedicated, committed efforts toward ethical sourcing are a cornerstone of the values we uphold at LA Chic Jewelry.

At LA Chic Jewelry, we harness the full potential of AAA-certified cubic zirconia to create breathtaking custom designs. With three generations of expertise, we are dedicated to helping you find or create the perfect piece. Explore the possibilities and call today to begin your journey with us.