What is the Difference Between Cubic Zirconia and Diamond?

Cubic zirconia (CZ) and diamond are both popular gemstones used in jewelry, but they have several key differences:

1. Composition: Diamonds are made of carbon, while cubic zirconia is made of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2).
2. Hardness: Diamonds are the hardest stone known to man, ranking 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, while cubic zirconia has a lower hardness rating of 8.5.
3. Color: Cubic zirconia is more likely to be completely colorless, whereas diamonds can range in color from completely colorless to yellow or brown.
4. Inclusions: Diamonds have natural inclusions throughout the stone, while cubic zirconia is often flawless.
5. Refractive Index: When turned upside down, the bottom of a diamond will give off the entire rainbow of color reflections, whereas CZs usually have more exclusively orange and blue flashes.
6. Facets: Diamonds possess sharp facets, while cubic zirconia does not have sharp facets.
7. Weight: Cubic zirconia is bulkier than diamond, so two stones of the same size and dimensions will have different weights.
8. Cost: Diamonds are more expensive than cubic zirconia, and their value can be passed down for generations as a family heirloom.

In summary, while cubic zirconia and diamonds may look similar, their differences in composition, hardness, color, inclusions, refractive index, facets, weight, and cost can help distinguish between the two gemstones.

Comparative Table: Cubic Zirconia vs Diamond

Here is a table comparing the differences between cubic zirconia (CZ) and diamond:

Cubic zirconia is a synthetic gemstone made of zirconium dioxide, while diamonds are naturally occurring or lab-grown gemstones composed of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice. Diamonds are harder, more dense, and have a higher refractive index than cubic zirconia. They also have a lower dispersion, which means they give off more white light (brilliance) compared to cubic zirconia, which gives off a noticeable rainbow effect.

Cubic zirconia is a popular diamond simulant due to its affordability and similar appearance, but it lacks the durability, brilliance, and lasting beauty of diamonds. Diamonds are more expensive because of their rarity and the labor involved in mining and processing them. When choosing between cubic zirconia and diamond, it is essential to consider factors such as cut, clarity, carat weight, and color for diamonds, and purity, color, and overall appearance for cubic zirconia.