Celebrity CZ jewelry
Nowadays, we see a lot of CZ jewelry on the market, but have you ever wondered what does CZ actually means? The sign of CZ has also been engraved on some sterling silver jewelries encrusted with glittering crystals, so what does CZ stands for? These actually are very smart questions! CZ actually stands for 'Cubic Zirconia'. Cubic Zirconia is a beautiful man-made gemstone that is durable, inexpensive and created in a close resemblance to diamond. A lot of people like CZ jewelries because they carry the look of diamond jewelries but only cost a fraction the genuine diamond. It’s logical because even if you do wear diamond jewelries, sometimes you worry about losing them. Cubic Zirconia cost much less than a genuine diamond thus it takes your concerns away.
Chemically, Cubic Zirconia stone is the cubic crystalline form of Zirconium Oxide (ZrO2). It is important to stress that it is Zirconia, and not Zircon. Zircon is the name for Zirconium Silicate (ZrSiO4), which is a different chemical compound.
Since 1892 with the discovery of the yellowish monoclinic natural mineral of Zirconium Oxide, scientists have begun their journey to find ways to create synthetic diamonds. A mineral known as baddeleyite caught attention from gemologists worldwide due to its potential of becoming a diamond simulant. Sodium Titanate (introduced in 1955), Yittrium Aluminium Garnet (YAG) and GGG (Gadolinium Gallium Garnet) all served as predecessors for simulants. However, the problem with them was that they were not so promising in capturing diamond's brilliances.
In 1960's, French scientists succeeded in creating CZ crystals, but the crystals were too small to be popular. In 1970s Russian scientists found and introduced a method called “skull crucible”, and it made a revolutionary change in the history of Cubic Zirconia stones. Around 1976, couple years after the method was adopted, mass production of Cubic Zirconia stones officially began.
Generally, the quality of Cubic Zirconia can be determined by four main criteria. These are carat (or carat weight), clarity, color, and cut. The whiter and more clear the stone, the more valuable it is considered. Five-star AAAAA is the highest-quality. Top rated Cubic Zirconia stone carries the magnificent shine just as in those of real diamond.
