how do cubic zirconia compare to diamons?

Question

i need to write a paper on how cubic zirconia and diamonds are alike. so i need to compare them.

Answer 1

(m)

CZ versus diamond

Cubic zirconia is so optically close to diamond that only a trained eye can easily differentiate the two. There are a few key features of CZ which distinguish it from diamond, some observable only under the microscope or loupe. For example:

Dispersion. With a dispersive power greater than diamond (0.060 vs. 0.044) the more prismatic fire of CZ can be seen by even an untrained eye.
Hardness. CZ has an 8.3 on the Mohs' hardness scale vs. a rating of 10 for diamonds.
Specific gravity. CZs are heavyweights in comparison to diamonds; a CZ will weigh about 1.7 times more than a diamond of equivalent size. Obviously, this difference is only useful when examining loose stones.
Flaws. Contemporary production of cubic zirconia is virtually flawless, whereas most diamonds have some sort of defect, be it a feather, included crystal, or perhaps a remnant of an original crystal face (e.g. trigons).
Refractive index. CZ has a refractive index of 2.176, compared to a diamond's 2.417.
Cut. Under close inspection with a loupe, the facet shapes of some CZs appear different from diamonds.
In theory, many gems (such as CZs and diamonds) look best when the star facet, crown main facets, and upper girdle facets do not quite meet. (Per Step 11 of editor's note 36 to Marcel Tolkowsky's Diamond Design.) Diamond has such a high refractive index that having these facets meet at a single point does not cause much loss of fire or reflection. Diamonds normally have these facets meet at a point, because that is more symmetrical and reflects well on the cutter's precision. On the other hand, CZ has a considerably lower refractive index than diamond. CZs are often cut with 6-sided crown main facets, so that the star facets do not touch the upper girdle facets. This optimizes the brilliance and fire of the CZs.
The optimum angle of the main crown facets is steeper for diamond than for CZ. (According to Tolkowsky's model of the crown, for a given pavilion angle and girdle thickness). CZs are often cut so that the crown main facets do not touch the girdle. This allows the CZs to have a shallower crown angle, while still having the same crown height as a diamond with a similar cut.
Color. More precisely, the lack of color: Only the rarest of diamonds are truly colorless, most having a tinge of yellow or brown to some extent. By comparison, CZ can be made in most cases entirely colorless: equivalent to a perfect "D" on diamond's color grading scale.
Thermal conductivity. CZs are thermal insulators whilst diamonds are among the most efficient thermal conductors, exceeding copper. This makes telling the difference between diamond and CZ quite easy for those with the right tools.

Answer 2

They really are not very much alike, they just appear to be alike on the surface. Diamonds are crystalized carbon. Cubic zirconia is zirconium oxide. But:

CZ versus diamond

Cubic zirconia is so optically close to diamond that only a trained eye can easily differentiate the two. There are a few key features of CZ which distinguish it from diamond, some observable only under the microscope or loupe. For example:

* Dispersion. With a dispersive power greater than diamond (0.060 vs. 0.044) the more prismatic fire of CZ can be seen by even an untrained eye.

* Hardness. CZ has an 8.3 on the Mohs' hardness scale vs. a rating of 10 for diamonds.

* Specific gravity. CZs are heavyweights in comparison to diamonds; a CZ will weigh about 1.7 times more than a diamond of equivalent size. Obviously, this difference is only useful when examining loose stones.

* Flaws. Contemporary production of cubic zirconia is virtually flawless, whereas most diamonds have some sort of defect, be it a feather, included crystal, or perhaps a remnant of an original crystal face (e.g. trigons).

* Refractive index. CZ has a refractive index of 2.176, compared to a diamond's 2.417.

* Cut. Under close inspection with a loupe, the facet shapes of some CZs appear different from diamonds.
o In theory, many gems (such as CZs and diamonds) look best when the star facet, crown main facets, and upper girdle facets do not quite meet. (Per Step 11 of editor's note 36 to Marcel Tolkowsky's Diamond Design.) Diamond has such a high refractive index that having these facets meet at a single point does not cause much loss of fire or reflection. Diamonds normally have these facets meet at a point, because that is more symmetrical and reflects well on the cutter's precision. On the other hand, CZ has a considerably lower refractive index than diamond. CZs are often cut with 6-sided crown main facets, so that the star facets do not touch the upper girdle facets. This optimizes the brilliance and fire of the CZs.
o The optimum angle of the main crown facets is steeper for diamond than for CZ. (According to Tolkowsky's model of the crown, for a given pavilion angle and girdle thickness). CZs are often cut so that the crown main facets do not touch the girdle. This allows the CZs to have a shallower crown angle, while still having the same crown height as a diamond with a similar cut.

* Color. More precisely, the lack of color: Only the rarest of diamonds are truly colorless, most having a tinge of yellow or brown to some extent. By comparison, CZ can be made in most cases entirely colorless: equivalent to a perfect "D" on diamond's color grading scale.

* Thermal conductivity. CZs are thermal insulators whilst diamonds are among the most efficient thermal conductors, exceeding copper. This makes telling the difference between diamond and CZ quite easy for those with the right tools.
--Wikipedia

Answer 3

There are different grades of cubic zirconia and some are so close to to the real thing it takes a jeweler to tell the difference. After choosing the highest grade cubic, it must be set in a high end setting, i.e. 14, 18 or 24 karat gold setting.

Answer 4

They are both white and sparkly.

Cubic Zirconia is a cubic form of zirconium oxide that is created in a laboratory, thus it is not a mineral. However, it was found naturally occurring once at one site in the 1930's, but has yet to be discovered since then. (Nassau, 1981) The mineral with the same chemical composition as CZ, but in the monoclinic crystal system, is baddeleyite.
Cubic zirconia has a hardness of 8.5 on Moh's Scale of Hardness and a white streak. It has a specific gravity between 5.65 and 5.95, and a density between 5.5 and 5.9. (interlap.com) It is in the isometric crystal system with a 4/mbar32/m crystal class and a Fm3m space group. (Nassau, 1981) The refractive index of CZ is between 2.088 and 2.176, which is very high. It has dispersion in the C-F area of the visible light spectrum of 0.060. (interlap.com) Since CZ is transparent, it is often faceted. It can be made in nearly any color and can be faceted into many cuts........

Answer 5

even nonetheless man made diamonds (simulated diamonds or pretend diamonds) are a simulation of the organic stone, they have comparable residences. the technique became into initially developed to produced commercial-grade diamonds, yet those synthetics are progressively extra used interior the jewelry commerce. man made diamonds have been synthetic for over fifty years. components that have comparable gemological features to diamond are common as diamond simulants. the main oftentimes occurring diamond simulant to maximum clientele is Cubic Zirconia (CZ) or (Zirconium Oxide ZrO2). Cubic zirconia has a hardness of 8.3 on the Mohs scale, collectively as diamond has a hardness of 10. CZs are optically perfect and colorless yet could be made in colored variations. In 1973 Soviet scientists on the Lebedev actual Institute in Moscow perfected the technique of producing cubic zirconia by the "cranium Crucible" technique. Zirconium oxide powder is heated, then gradually allowed to relax interior the crucible. as quickly as the aggregate has cooled, the outer shell is broken off and the interior middle of the "run" is used to make the wonderful decrease stone. the unique call for cubic zirconia became into "Jewel Fianit", yet this call became into by no potential used outdoors of the Soviet Union (u.s.).

Answer 6

At a distance there is comparing...Hell most people never seen a pure cut diamond these day diamonds value verys the colors of the diamond... is a sign of how the diamond has became a flaw. I think if anyone new it is or was elizabeth taylor would be as close as anyone would know

Answer 7

they're cheap, and the teacher should really return the cubic zirconia and refuse the nice gentleman caller's offer, no matter how many gold necklaces he wears!

Answer 8

diamonds are stronger, natural and have more colours reflected. they come in grades and their cut, colour and clarity all factor the rating of the stone.

cubic zirconias are not and you can tell the difference in certain lights.

Answer 9

LOL you are SOL cause they dont! At least I dont think they do! (but who cares what I think anyways! lol)