The USSR’s first quantum generator (laser) used a ruby (corundum) crystal to obtain a beam. In the midst of the Cold War (1979-1987), trials of a powerful ruby laser as part of the SOI program failed: when a gas discharge lamp was replaced with a plasma torch, the ruby rod simply overheated and charred. The scientists faced the task - to look for a worthy replacement for ruby.
The main differences and properties of stones
In the future, scientists at the Lebedev Physical Institute decided to take garnet as a model for creating a molecular lattice with the required properties. This mineral, unlike ruby, had much greater stability in the frequency of laser radiation and better resistance to short-term overheating. And the synthetic single crystal synthesized by scientists in 1970 for a high-power laser was called cubic zirconia (in honor of the Physical Institute of the Academy of Sciences).
The crystal cubic zirconia lattice under an electron microscope is very reminiscent of the Rubik's cube known from childhood. Enterprising jewelers quickly took cubic zirconia "into use" and adapted it for their practical purposes.
Jewelry factories and sellers of gold and silver products with inserts of cheap artificial stones, obsessed with the only goal - to increase sales, in their articles and popular reviews with a pronounced PR tint in describing the properties and origin of cubic zirconia and zircon deliberately confused the reader’s mind with verge of substitution of concepts.
That is why for many cubic zirconia and zircon are actually synonyms. Meanwhile, this is not at all true. To facilitate understanding of the article, we formulate the basic properties of stones.
Zirconia is an artificial mineral; in hardness it is only slightly inferior to diamond and corundum. It is not found anywhere in nature. Needs constant care, when rubbing against clothes it is easily electrified, attracts fine dust. When oil or skin fat gets on the surface of the crystal (when wearing a pendant or amulet with cubic zirconia on a chain), the stone loses its transparency. To restore the properties, the oil must be washed off with soap and water, the surface of the stone should be wiped with a dry wool cloth without the use of abrasives.
Zirconium (Zr40) is a shiny gray metal with an atomic weight of 40, resistant to corrosion, high temperature, and radiation. It is used in production for the manufacture of parts subject to high mechanical stress, high or low temperatures, high pressure, deep vacuum, and radiation.
Zircon - igneous mineral, chemical composition is zirconium orthosilicate (ZrSiO4), has high strength, resistant to high temperatures, aggressive chemical fluids, does not require special care. The following zircon species look most beautiful:
- golden yellow jargon;
- red hyacinths;
- blue starlites.
There are also zircons of blue, green, black with a pearly sheen.
Zircon surpasses cubic zirconia in gloss and play of color inside the crystal. In cost, it is also much more expensive than its “synthetic twin”.
Very often at the counter of a jewelry store you can hear a conversation of women who, choosing jewelry, say: "It's a pity that cubic zirconia would be better if zircon." Given the desire of young girls and women who want to buy zircon jewelry, jewelry manufacturers have come up with a very subtle marketing ploy.
On the assay tag of a gold or silver ring with an insert of cubic zirconia opposite the name of the material is abbreviated "circus. CZ "or" circus. cube. " Having seen the first word “zirconium”, the buyer thinks that the insert is made of natural stone (zircon) and carefully analyzes the second word. As a result of a simple manipulation of the substitution of concepts instead of a natural gemstone, the buyer acquires its artificial counterpart - cubic zirconium (trade name zirconia).
How can zirconia be easily distinguished from zircon?
How to understand what material the stone is made of: valuable zircon or more affordable cubic zirconia? Experienced jewelers can instantly determine the appearance of the authenticity of the jewelry by the following visual signs:
- natural zircon strongly refracts light rays, it is impossible to read small text through it, and through zirconia the text is very clearly visible;
- in a natural mineral, in bright light, small air bubbles and dark inclusions are noticeable, and cubic zirconia does not contain any impurities.
Zirconia Swarovski
Expensive high-quality imitation of various gemstones is made by the well-known Austrian company Swarowski Crystal. Initially, this brand made imitation of crystal from silicon dioxide, lead salts and sulfur oxide. Swarowski's zirconia cutting technology was developed in 1956 by jewelers in collaboration with Christian Dior fashion house.
The technology and quality of production at the company have reached such a level that imitation of Swarowski jewelry from real stones can be distinguished by high-level specialists exclusively using special equipment.
To authenticate products on a small, polished surface using a laser must be engraved with Swarowski.
The deposition of a thin layer of titanium or silver on the lower edge of the crystal from Swarowski enhances shine and color play due to the multiple reflection of the light beam inside the crystal. Zirconia Swarowski (Swarowski Zirconia) and Swarowski crystals (Swarovski Crystal) are completely different stones.
The former are inexpensive diamond-cut zirconia, the latter are crystalline substances of complex chemical composition.It’s fair to say that the brand’s artificial cubic zirconias are not less popular with the fair half of humanity than original jewelry, which not everyone can afford.
Which stone to choose?
Cubic zirconia and zircon differ from each other in a number of properties:
- cubic zirconia is more transparent, does not contain turbidity and interspersed with foreign impurities;
- cubic zirconia is a little cheaper than zircon;
- cubic zirconia and zircon require periodic care, especially if the jewelry is worn on the body, from contact with fatty secretions of the skin, the stone loses its transparency, which is restored after washing in soapy water and polishing with a woolen cloth;
- Zircon has a lower hardness compared to cubic zirconia; cracks and chips are possible when falling from a great height;
- Zircon refracts rays more strongly, it has a deeper play of colors in the sun compared to cubic zirconia.
From the foregoing, we can conclude:
- due to the difference in price, cubic zirconia is a cheaper option for the full replacement of zircon when buying jewelry or when choosing a tool with a diamond head;
- in terms of physical and chemical properties, the stones are almost identical.
Of course, the final choice in favor of cubic zirconia or zircon completely depends only on the financial side of the issue or personal preferences of the buyer.
About the features of cubic zirconia see below.
