Still don't have zircons in your jewelry box? I don't know what you're waiting for, so I'll give you a good reason: It is the gemstone that most closely resembles a diamond.
And we all love wearing diamonds, right? We would do it every time if it weren't for a small-great detail: its price.
But there is no problem without a solution. Zirconia is an affordable option and only a professional jeweler would know how to differentiate it from a real diamond.
Or maybe you can too after reading this post, because I'm going to give you interesting facts and some useful trick.
What is zirconia and why is it so appreciated in jewelry
Zirconia is a gem or synthetic stone derived from zirconium oxide. It can also be called zirconite or cubic zirconia, because when crystallized it forms cubic crystals, like diamond.
Although it is not as valuable as other stones, it is essential in jewelry because it has a highly valued quality: it is so similar to the real diamond that only a trained eye can see the difference.
And if you don't believe me, look at this ring Iris Gold, with white zircons. Don't you think they look a lot like diamonds?
Before it became common in jewelry to use cubic zirconia as a diamond imitation stone, others were tried. But due to its characteristics were not convincing: either they were too soft, or the shine was artificial, or the color was wrong.
It was in the 70s of the XNUMXth century when the perfect double arrived: the zirconia, so similar that it can hardly be differentiated anymore. a considerably cheaper price.
>> Do you like stones? Check out this post about gold rings with gemstones, to put color in your hands.
Is zirconia a synthetic diamond?
Nothing to do. Is It's a fairly common question. so I answer it so that you don't even think about it.
When we talk about synthetic diamond we refer to a laboratory creation with the same characteristics of natural diamond. They are achieved in a controlled environment, subjecting the carbon to pressure and temperature conditions similar to those that could occur in nature.
And the result is an authentic diamond that has been created artificially, and that has, like the natural one, a high price.
How can you tell the difference between zirconia and diamond: the paper test
Es a simple but effective trick, and will allow you to decide if what you have in front of you is a diamond or a zirconia. Do the following:
- Take a white sheet and a pencil
- Draw a black dot
- Place the stone on the point, right in its center.
Are you able to distinguish the dot? So it's a cubic zirconia, since It has greater transparency. You can also do the test with printed letters and verify that with a diamond, being more opaque, the background is not seen with the same clarity.
Maybe you don't have a diamond and a zirconia on hand to start testing, and what you want is enjoy the jewels without more. Well, let me recommend this fantasy of earrings Hoops Aimi Gold, with colored zircons.
However, as I imagine that gemology arouses your curiosity and you also love to wear jewelry, I leave these 3 keys, very simple, to learn more about zirconia.
And as a gift 3 recommendations for you to start wearing these stones in your day to day:
1. Hardness
Cubic zirconia or zirconia has a hardness between 8 and 8.5 on the Mohs scale, so may have scratches over time.
Something you won't see in a diamond. Have you heard that only one diamond can scratch another diamond? That's because it has the highest hardness on the Mohs scale: a 10.
>> Take a look at celestial necklace, with zircons of 10 different colors.
2. Temperature
To the touch, cubic zirconia feels warm. That's because of its insulating quality. However, diamond is a good conductor, so always gives us a cold feeling.
>> A recommendation for your hands: the Mariela bracelet, with a green zirconia.
3. Weight
Zircon is heavier than diamond. This is very difficult to appreciate without a precision scale, so this data is only for feed your curiosity about gemstones and that every day you know a little more ;)
>> How about you try combinations? Here you have one: blue zirconia with tiger's eye, in this ring Coretta Gold.
With what I have told you today about cubic zirconia, you can no longer say that if you do not wear jewelry, it is because you cannot afford it. They are not diamonds, but zircons they make you feel as if you were wearing them.
Do you like zircons as much as I do? I would love for you to tell me what is your favorite jewel (with cubic zirconia, of course).