Cubic zirconia is a lab-created gemstone composed of zirconium dioxide. It is a popular diamond substitute due to its comparable appearance at a lower cost. CZ is produced by heating zirconium oxide powder with stabilizers and pigments, then cooling it slowly to create a crystal.

CZ is a durable material that can be cut and polished to resemble a diamond. It is scratch-resistant and comes in various colors, making it a common choice for jewelry like rings, earrings, and necklaces.

Although not as valuable as natural diamonds, cubic zirconia is still an excellent option for those looking for a more affordable alternative or for occasional wear.

Gorgeous Heart Faceted AAA Rated Cubic Zirconia Stones With Top Cut & Polish

Hardness: CZ is a very hard material and has a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale. This makes it a durable material that can resist scratches and abrasion.

Density: CZ has a density of about 5.7 g/cm3, which is slightly lower than that of natural diamonds (which have a density of about 3.5 g/cm3). This means that CZ is slightly less dense than diamonds and can be differentiated from them based on its weight.

Thermal conductivity: CZ has a relatively low thermal conductivity compared to natural diamonds, which means that it does not conduct heat as well. This property can be used to distinguish CZ from natural diamonds using a thermal conductivity meter.

Refractive index: CZ has a high refractive index of around 2.15, which is higher than that of most natural gemstones. This gives it a high level of brilliance and sparkle.

Optical properties: CZ is optically isotropic, which means that it has the same optical properties in all directions. This is in contrast to natural diamonds, which are anisotropic and have different optical properties in different directions.