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Synthetic Cubic Zirconia


Properties
Chemical Composition: 
Zirconium Oxide - ZrO2
Classification / Type: 
C.Z. is a man made material. The term synthetic is used to refer to this material, even though it does not have a natural counterpart, but it exists in the mineral Baddeleyite which crystallizes in monoclinic system.
Colors / Varieties: 
All colors. Transparency: Transparent to Opaque.
Crystal System / Forms: 
Cubic System
Hardness: 
8 - 8.5
Specific Gravity: 
5.60 - 6.2
Cleavage / Fracture: 
Nil / Conchoidal fracture
Optic Character: 
Isotropic (S.R.)
Lustre: 
Adamantine
Refractive Index / Birefringence: 
2.15
Pleochroism: 
Nil
Dispersion: 
0.060
Magnification: 
Gas bubbles, zirconium oxide powder droplets in rows, dispersive fire (orange) on pavilion facets.
U.V. Fluorescence: 
Generally strong yellow to orangish yellow. Varies with dopants used.
Spectrum: 
Varies with dopants used.
Cause of Color: 
  • Green: Chromium
  • Orange / red: Cerium, etc.
Treatment (Enhancement): 
-
Specific Tests & Remarks: 
Low see through effect.
Synthesis: 
Skull Melting Method
Simulants (with key separation tests): 
Synthetic Moissanite (doubling, dispersion, inclusions), G.G.G.. (S.G., dispersion), Y.A.G. (S.G. dispersion), Diamond (S.G., dispersion, U.V. fluorescence), Strontium Titanate (dispersion, S.G.), Sphene (optic character, doubling, dispersion), Synthetic Rutile (dispersion, S.G., doubling), Demantoid (inclusions, dispersion, S.G.), Spessartite Garnet (inclusions, spectrum, S.G.), Malaya Garnet (inclusions, spectrum, S.G.), etc.
Geological Occurrence: 
In a laboratory. No natural counterpart.
Sources: 
-
Cuts & Uses: 
Facetted cuts, beads, etc.
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