Skip to main content
  SIGN UP TO RECEIVE 10% OFF  

Jewelry Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z  index  Search
 

CUBIC ZIRCONIA:

A lab-created simulated diamond. CZ is usually a transparent stone, but colors are added in the manufacturing process. Typically a clear crystal with the general appearance of diamond when viewed from reasonable distance. Most often used in costume jewelry. A Cubic Zirconium is not as hard as a diamond (7.5 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale vs. 10 for a diamond) and will show wear on the facet edges with routine wear. CZ is about 75% heavier than diamond. Dispersion differs between a Cubic Zirconium and that of a diamond. Dispersion occurs based on the gem’s refractive index. In this case, refractive index simply indicates how much a beam of light will bend, based on the direction in which it is traveling when it passes between two materials of different optical densities (such as between diamond and air; or between CZ and air). Being that CZ has a refractive index of 2.176, compared to a diamond's 2.417, therefore, diamonds are brighter than CZ


See also: Lab created  Synthetic diamond/ gemstone 


Recently viewed products

Traditional Handcrafted Celtic Wedding Band $1,035

6 x 4 mm Moissanite Oval Cut 6-Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring $600

Modern Two Tone Dome Comfort Fit Diamond Wedding Band $1,336

Bestseller Tri-Tone Hand Woven Gold Wedding Ring $669

5 mm Moissanite Three Sided Scroll Design Solitaire Engagement Ring $739

Benchmark Plain Half-Round Dome Wedding Band $418

Dazzling Blue Sapphire And Diamond Halo Earrings(0.46 ct. t.w.) $990