Cubic zirconia

Cubic zirconia (CZ) ，also called jacinth ，is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). Its chemical composition is zirconium silicate，

The synthesized material is hard, optically flawless and usually colorless, but may be made in a variety of different colors. For instance,

The addition of certain metal oxide dopants into the feed powder results in a variety of vibrant colors. For example:

Deposit area and Supplier countries

It occurs in beach sands in many parts of the world,The most famous deposit area of the zirconia are  Sri Lanka , Myanmar,Tailand,Laos,Cambodia ,China，India, Australia, Brazil, and Florida， France, Nigeria and Tanzania.

Regarding the synthetic cubic zirconia market ,according to an research ,most of the CZ (diamon-imitation)were made in China.And up to the year of 2000,China has made up a share of 80% of the world’s total, among which 30% were made in Wuzhou ,with an annual trade volume of  0.65billion RMB.

The most common Cubic Zirconia Raw Material are:

1，According to the origin：Chinese materials，Taiwan’s materials，American materials，South Korean materials and The Soviet union materials…ect.

2．According to the colors：White CZ，Black CZ，YellowCZ,Red CZ，Green CZ，Blue CZ，Purple CZ，Coffee CZ。

3，According to the sizes：A , A+B,B,B+C,C,D,E.

History & Innovations

Discovered in 1892, the yellowish monoclinic mineral baddeleyite is a natural form of zirconium oxide. It has little economic importance because of its rarity.

The extremely high melting point of zirconia (2750℃) makes the controlled growth of single crystals difficult, as no existing crucible could hold the material in its molten state.

Later in 1976，Soviet scientists of the Lebedev Physical Institute in Moscow perfectedly create cubic zirconia with“cold crucible” technique.

Because of its low cost, durability, and close visual likeness to diamond, synthetic cubic zirconia has become and important competitor for diamonds since 1976.

It is sometimes marketed under the brand name "Diamonique". Its main competition as a synthetic gemstone is the more recently cultivated material, synthetic moissanite.  

In recent years manufacturers have sought ways of distinguishing their product by supposedly "improving" cubic zirconia.

Coating finished CZs in a film of diamond-like carbon (DLC)， or Amorphous Diamond is one such innovation, a process using chemical vapor deposition. The resulting material is purportedly harder, more lustrous and more like diamond overall.

The coating is thought to quench the excess fire of CZ, while  improving its refractive index, thus making it appear more like diamond.

Additionally, because of the high percentage of diamond bonds键in the amorphous diamond coating, the finished simulant will show a positive diamond signature under Raman spectroscopy.

Another technique first applied to quartz and topaz has also been adapted to cubic zirconia: Vacuum-sputtering an extremely thin layer of metal oxide (typically gold) on to the finished stones creates an iridescent effect. This material is marketed as "mystic" by many dealers.

Unlike DLC, the surreal effect is not permanent, as abrasion easily removes the oxide layer.

The prospect of cubic zirconia Gems

Most of the zirconia gems selling in the markets are actually the synthetic cubic zirconia ,not the natural zirconia output.

But anyway,zirconia itself also is consider to be an intermediate rail gemstone,and it is the best substitute of diamond ,after finely processing. Because it has really the same Dispersion,hardness,cuts,colors,refractive index as the diamond.But it cost less than the diamon.why not have a try ?

Cubic zirconia is the birthstone of the December,it is said that it would provides the wearer with wisdom ,honor as well as the riches.

The market price

The price of cz is depends on the cuts ,sizes ,colors,shapes…ect. They diveded their prodcut grades into AAA,AA,A,AB...ect. Generally,the fancy shape always sells at a higher price than others do.