We're back with 5 facts about one of our lovely products, and this time it's the turn of one of our best-selling products throughout Uniq Perler's history.

Today you get 5 facts about our cubic zirconia stones.

I don't know if you're like me, but I'm a bit curious about what it actually is you're buying? - I am, in fact! That's why I've chosen to write a little post about the beautiful zirconia.

How are cubic zirconia stones made?

The recipe is incredibly simple, if you ask me. Why? You need two ingredients and an oven that can reach about 2500 degrees Celsius :-D - Easy!

Zirconia stone crystals are a mixture of Zirconium Powder and Zirconium Dioxide. These two ingredients are melted together by heating them to 2500 degrees. The result is a perfectly man-made and flawless stone, which has zero inclusions in it.

Does colored Zirconia stone exist?

You'd better believe it does. We ourselves sell several zirconia stones that are colored. But why does colored zirconia exist?

It exists for the simple reason that zirconia stones are meant to resemble diamonds and imitate them as well as possible. That's why, during the manufacturing process of zirconia stones, various oxides are added, which give the stone its different colors.

Is cubic zirconia real - Is it a Diamond?

NO, Zirconia is not a real diamond. But it can fool even the sharpest eye, well, unless you're a jeweler or similar.

Cubic zirconia stones share many of the same properties as diamonds. Its brilliance is almost equal to a diamond's. Its hardness is also basically the same on the Mohs Scale. Cubic zirconia stones have a hardness of 8.5, whereas a diamond's is 10.

Additionally, zirconia is cut into the same shapes as diamonds, and now you're probably thinking, so what's the difference?

The difference is, of course, authenticity and price - zirconia stones vs diamonds can in no way be compared. Diamonds' value and price are significantly greater than zirconia's.

What about the value of a zirconia stone?

There's actually a significant difference. Let me give you an example. An engagement ring with a 1 carat cubic zirconia stone can typically be bought for around 100 kr. If instead you were to get a diamond ring that's well cut and has a 1 carat stone. In some places you can get one for.. Hold on tight now! - 20,000 kr.

Here's one more example for you.

If you want to get a Princess Ring with a 1.5 carat zirconia stone, it costs about 230-250 kr. If you want the same Princess Ring with a 1.5 carat high-quality diamond, it would cost you about 62,000 kr!

These examples are of course exaggerated, and you can probably find more reasonable prices on diamonds, but this example is based on the average comparison price of these two stones and says a bit about the huge value difference that exists.

Here are the hard facts and differences between diamonds and zirconia - Here you go, for those of you who like to nerd out just like me :-D

As I mentioned earlier in this post, cubic zirconia stones are manufactured, whereas diamond is a naturally occurring substance that our nature produces itself.

Here are the nerdy facts that set the two stones apart. To the normal eye, it can be nearly impossible to see the differences.

Thermal conductivity: Diamonds are thermal conductors, whereas cubic zirconia stones are the opposite of diamonds. They are, in fact, thermal insulators.

Bonus info: This is actually what jewelers and jewelry makers check when determining the authenticity of a stone.

Hardness: Diamonds have a rating of 10, and cubic zirconia stones have one of 8, on the Mohs Hardness Scale.

Density: Cubic zirconia stones have a density that is 1.7 times denser than a diamond.

Refractive index: Diamonds' refractive index is 2.42 against cubic zirconia stone's 2.15-2.18.

Thinking refractive index?? - What on earth is that? Let me tell you.
The refractive index tells how the stones bend light rays. It's what can be experienced as those beautiful glimpses of colors in the stone. Diamonds emit more white light (brilliance), whereas cubic zirconia stones emit the well-known rainbow colors.

Shape: It's typically experienced that diamonds are cut a little differently than cubic zirconia stones.

Dispersion of light: Again, it's the fantastic, beautiful color nuances you experience when the stone catches the light correctly. Here the Diamond has a dispersion of 0.044 against cubic zirconia stone's 0.058-0.066

Color: Zirconia stones correspond to the perfect "D" found on diamonds' classification scale. But as you probably already know, zirconia also comes in many other colors such as Green, Orange, Pink, etc.
Most diamonds, on the other hand, have a brownish or yellowish tint to them. In fact, only the rarest diamonds are completely colorless.

Phew Andreas.. That was a lot of info

Phew! That was quite a session. Almost like being back at school again :-D - But don't worry.. I don't have any more either. The last thing I want to say, or encourage you to do, is to check out our collection with zirconia. It may not be real diamonds, but boy do they resemble them, and what's really better than such a beautiful stone?

(SEE OUR ZIRCONIA COLLECTION)

I don't know? - Maybe I should ask Louisa? - Anyway, thanks for reading this time, I hope this post was a bit of cozy reading for you.

Andreas, Uniq Perler

Sources:

• https://www.diamonds.pro/education/cubic-zirconia-vs-diamond/
• https://www.thespruce.com/cubic-zirconia-information-2043824
• https://jewelryinfoplace.com/cubic-zirconia/