Cubic zirconia

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Cubic zirconia
A round brilliant-cut cubic zirconia
General
Category	Oxide minerals
Crystal system	Cubic
Identification
Color	Various
Mohs scale hardness	8.0–8.5
Specific gravity	5.6–6.0 g/cm3
Refractive index	2.15–2.18

Cubic zirconia (abbreviated CZ) is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂). The synthesized material is hard and usually colorless, but may be made in a variety of different colors. It should not be confused with zircon, which is a zirconium silicate (ZrSiO₄). It is sometimes erroneously called cubic zirconium.

Because of its low cost, durability, and close visual likeness to diamond, synthetic cubic zirconia has remained the most gemologically and economically important competitor for diamonds since commercial production began in 1976. Its main competitor as a synthetic gemstone is a more recently cultivated material, synthetic moissanite.