It’s appreciated for its beauty and affordability in comparison with the diamond, its expensive twin. Are you curious and would like to find out more about cubic zirconia? Well, pay attention because today, you will discover its properties and learn how to keep it in perfect condition.
Cubic zirconia, also called CZ or synthetic diamond, is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). Unlike other known precious stones, like sapphires or rubies, cubic zirconia isn’t found in nature. Instead, it’s artificially created in a laboratory – not to be confused with zircon, which is of natural origin. The manufacturing process of cubic zirconia, discovered by German chemist Martin Henrich Klaproth in 1789, involves a series of rigorous processes that take more than 5 hours with temperatures that can exceed 2700° to achieve the stunning result of this stone. 235 years later, this gemstone has become indispensable for our favorite rings, bracelets, and earrings.
This stone may look like a diamond; however, it has a set of properties and characteristics that make it completely different and unique. It stands out in particular for its hardness and the variety of colors available. Let us explain.
In its original form, cubic zirconia is transparent. However, since it isn’t natural, it can be artificially modified to achieve other colors using trace elements. The transparent version is elegant and offers a luxurious look. Blue cubic zirconia, on the other hand, is a cool stone that evokes loyalty and calmness. We can also find black cubic zirconia, a more sophisticated version that stands for strength and protection, or green cubic zirconia, closely related to vitality and growth. In addition, it isn’t difficult to find pink, yellow, or brown cubic zirconia, or any other color for that matter. Enjoy each color separately or combine them all in one piece, like in this colored cubic zirconia bracelet with 18kt yellow gold. Perfect!
To measure the hardness of minerals, the Mohs scale is usually used, where diamonds are 10 on the scale and talc is found at 1. Cubic zirconia has a very high hardness rating, placed between 8 and 8.5 on this scale, just above topaz. Given its high degree of hardness, its affordable price, and its capacity to be modified in line with our preferences regarding size, color, and shape, cubic zirconia is one of the most popular options to adorn our pieces of jewelry. Who doesn’t have a piece of jewelry made with this gemstone in their personal jewelry collection?
Those who own cubic zirconia know that they can enjoy their piece of jewelry for years to come, provided they wear it with care and look after it properly. Since it has such a high hardness, it easily withstands everyday wear and tear, and scratches and knocks, without losing its shine. However, we must emphasize that the key to keeping our cubic zirconia in perfect condition for a long time is to look after them and always follow their maintenance instructions.
Before we get down to business, it’s worth mentioning that the maintenance instructions that you are about to read are exclusively for cubic zirconia and do not apply to other materials your jewelry is made of. So, let’s discover what we have to bear in mind to maintain the beauty and shine of our cubic zirconia. Let’s go!
It’s no coincidence that this stone has become a must-have in any jewelry box. Its sparkle, the variety of colors available, and its beauty make cubic zirconia a true gemstone, ideal for both day-to-day life and special occasions. You will find it in our jewelry with gemstones section, along with other precious and semi-precious stones of undeniable quality, and even in the watch section, adorning the face of analog watches and smartwatches. With cubic zirconia from TOUS, one thing is for sure: you will sparkle wherever you go!
