Minerals, Metals, and Other MaterialsRocks and Minerals |
What is the difference between cubic zirconium and diamonds? |
Cubic zirconium is a gemstone material that is an imitation of diamonds. The word “imitation” is key. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission defines imitation materials as resembling the natural material in appearance only. Cubic zirconia may be cut the same way as diamonds. It is very dense and solid, weighing 1.7 times more than a diamond of the same millimeter size.