March 22, 2013

Cubic zirconia is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide.  The synthesized material is hard, optically flawless and usually colorless, but may be made in a variety of different colors such as yellow, orange, red, green, purple pink and golden brown.  Because of its low cost, durability and close visual likeness to a diamond, synthetic cubic zirconia is gemologically and economically is an important competitor for diamonds since the cubic zirconia's commercial production in 1976.  Currently its only competitor in cultivated materials is the synthetic moissanite.

If diamonds are a girls' best friend then cubic zirconia may be your new best friend!