How are cubic zirconia and diamons alike?

Answer 1

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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

Although synthetic diamonds (simulated diamonds or fake diamonds) are a simulation of the natural stone, they have similar properties. The process was originally developed to produced industrial-grade diamonds, but these synthetics are increasingly used in the jewelry trade. Synthetic diamonds have been manufactured for over fifty years.

Materials which have similar gemological characteristics to diamond are known as diamond simulants. The most familiar diamond simulant to most consumers is Cubic Zirconia (CZ) or (Zirconium Oxide ZrO2). Cubic zirconia has a hardness of 8.3 on the Mohs scale, while diamond has a hardness of 10. CZs are optically flawless and colorless but can be made in colored versions.

In 1973 Soviet scientists at the Lebedev Physical Institute in Moscow perfected the technique of manufacturing cubic zirconia via the "Skull Crucible" process. Zirconium oxide powder is heated, then gradually allowed to cool in the crucible. Once the mixture has cooled, the outer shell is broken off and the interior core of the "run" is used to make the final cut stone. The original name for cubic zirconia was "Jewel Fianit", but this name was never used outside of the Soviet Union (USSR).

Answer 3

There are diverse grades of cubic zirconia and a few are so on the threshold of to the actual undertaking it takes a jeweler to tell the adaptation. After selecting the utmost grade cubic, that's going to be set in a extreme end placing, i.e. 14, 18 or 24 karat gold placing.

Answer 4

the only thing they have in common would be the look of them. And even that is very shaky. CZ is a man made product so they can be made almost perfect. Both diamonds and CZ look very similar but if you hold them up to the light then the differences are quite easy to see. Most diamonds have little unnoticable to the naked eye flaws while CZ has none really. If you are looking for something that is like a diamond but cost less then check out Moissanite. It is man grown but they come from a moissanite seed. The have a hardness of 9.8 I think, don't quote me on that one. Even when you use a diamond tester it will register as a diamond. And personally I think they look much better than a real diamond.

Answer 5

It's easier to describe how they're different. A diamond is much more dense, much more valuable, and will scratch about anything without suffering any damage itself.

Answer 6

The only thing that they have in common is they look similar other than that they have nothing at all the same

Answer 7

Both are natural stones

Answer 8

They both have the "bling".