Synthetic cubic zirconia
| Synthetic cubic zirconia | |
|---|---|
| Chemical composition | Zirconium dioxide - ZrO2 |
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Habit | Columnar |
| Cleavage | |
| Fracture | |
| Hardness | 8.25 - 8.5 |
| Optic nature | Isotropic |
| Refractive index | 2.171 - 2.177 |
| Birefringence | None |
| Dispersion | High, 0.059 - 0.065 |
| Specific gravity | 5.65 - 5.95 |
| Lustre | |
| Pleochroism | None |
Synthetic cubic zirconia (CZ) entered the market as a gemstone around 1976 and is till present the most widely used diamond simulant. Although cubic zirconia is found in nature (as minute crystals inside zircon), the more stable variant of zirconia crystallizes in the monoclinic system (baddeleyite).
The main means of syntheses is through the "skull crucible" aka "skull melting" method.
Contents
Chemical composition
Zirconia has the chemical formula ZrO2, this material however will not crystallize in the cubic system through syntheses. A stabilizer of yttria or calcium oxide needs to be added to the source powder in order to let it crystallize as isotropic crystals.
Diagnostics
As synthetic cubic zirconia (CZ) is mainly used to imitate diamond one can expect the main separation techniques to concentrate on distinguishing between the two.
Color
Synthetic cubic zirconia is produced in a large array of colors, from colorless to black. Many coloring agents, including rare earth elements, are added to the source powder.
- Cesium: yellow, orange, red
- Copper, iron, nickel, praseodymium, titanium: yellow, amber, brown
- Erbium, europium, holmium: pink
- Chromium, thulium, vanadium: green
- Cobalt, manganese, neodymium: lilac, violet, purple, blue
Diaphaneity
Transparent to opaque.
Refractometer
Cubic zirconia has an RI that can not be measured with a standard gemological refractometer. There are however other tools available, as the Hanneman-Hodgkinson refractometer or the Brewster angle meter, to determine the RI of CZ.
The optical properties of CZ vary slightly depending on which, and how much, stabilizer is used (yttria or calcium oxide).
- Yttria stabilized cubic zirconia: RI = 2.171, dispersion = 0.059
- Calcium oxide stabilized cubic zirconia: RI = 2.177, dispersion = 0.065.
The values of CZ are above the limits of the standard gemological refractometer. There are however a few other tests one can perform.
- The "dot test" will show a ring around the culet if the stone is cut to diamond brilliant proportions.
- The "tilt test" will show leakage.
Polariscope
CZ may show anomalous extinction.
Specific gravity
The SG of CZ is about twice that of diamond (3.52) and loose stones will have a higher "heft".
As with the refraction indices, the SG of CZ varies between stabilizers used.
- Yttria stabilized cubic zirconia: SG = 5.95
- Calcium oxide stabilized cubic zirconia: SG = 5.65
Hardness
- Yttria stabilized cubic zirconia: hardness = 8.25 (Mohs' scale)
- Calcium oxide stabilized cubic zirconia: hardness = 8.5 (Mohs' scale)
Luminescence
Colorless CZ stabilized by calcium oxide will show a yellow fluorescence.
Phenomena
Color change synthetic cubic zirconia is not uncommon and may show dramatic changes in natural/incandescent lightning.
Opalline (milky) CZ's are also produced. These are mainly opaque.
References
- The 1972 patent to create "Fianit" (synth. cubic zirconia) from Lebedev
- Gems Their Sources, Descriptions and Identification 4th Edition (1990) - Robert Webster (6th ed.)
Visual Optics: Needs Content!
Next: Video Presentations
Return to the Table of Contents
