Cubic Zirconia

Cubic zirconia (CZ) is an artificial stone, a cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (Zp2). Zirconium dioxide produces crystals in an irregular monoclinic system. With the addition of a stabilizer (10% yttrium oxide or calcium oxide) zirconium crystallizes in the cubic crystal system, with greater strength, refractive index and luster. The process of forming cubic crystals requires temperatures of +3000 degrees, up to 4000 degrees C, producing crystals of exceptional strength and high hardness (8-8.5 on the Mohs scale).

Cubic zirconium and synthetic moissanite are the stones that replace diamond with exceptional fidelity in jewellery making. The lower cost, the fire resistance of the stone and its hardness, combined with the transparency, shine and refraction, revolutionized the jewellery industry and found application in the manufacture of high-definition lenses, filter prisms and laser accessories.

The of producing a single crystal cubic zirconium arose from the need to replace the expensive and hard to find diamond in laser technology, but also in optical applications of high requirements and clarity. In 1976, Ceres Corporation was the first company to start producing cubic zirconium in jewellery cuts. They were followed by Taiwan Crystal Company Ltd, Swarovski, ICT Inc. and others.

In recent years, manufacturers have been covering zirconium in a vacuum environment with an amorphous carbon film (diamond-like carbon DLC) for even greater shine and protection against stress.

Today it is estimated that 15% of the stones in production jewellery are cubic zirconium (CZ).