February 7th, 2010 | 
Author: Crystal Hard Case
Cubic zirconia(CZ) was discovered in 1892, and is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). This material, when synthesized, is hard, optically flawless, and colorless, but it can be given a wide array of colors. It is inexpensive, durable, looks like a diamond, and just as diamonds, it is crystallographically isometric, reasons why it has become the biggest competitor of this precious stone since the late 1970′s.
Since some years ago manufacturers have tried to improve CZ to make it more appealing for jewelry and other accessories designers and sellers.
One of the ways of “enhancing” CZ is by coating it with a film of diamond-like carbon (DLC) or amorphous diamond. This treatment makes the cubic zirconia harder, shinier, and more ‘diamond like’. Supposedly, it quenches the excess fire of the cubic zirconia and at the same time improves its refractive index, making it more similar to a diamond.
Another way of improving CZ is through a technique used also for quartz and topaz. It consists of vacuum-sputtering a very thin layer of metal oxide (gold) onto the finished CZ to give it an iridescent effect. It gives the stone a kind of mystic feeling; however, it is not permanent. Abrasion will eventually remove this layer.
In any case, there are several characteristics of CZ that differentiate it from diamonds. Some of these can only be seen with a microscope or magnifying glass:
o Dispersion: Cubic zirconia’s prismatic fire has a dispersive power greater than the one of diamonds, 0.060 vs. 0.044, and is easily visible.
o Hardness: CZ has a rating of eight on the Mohs hardness scale, while diamonds possess a rating of ten.
o Specific gravity: When compared to diamonds, cubic zirconia is much heavier. One cubic zirconia stone weighs more or less 1.7 times more than a diamond of the same size.
o Flaws: Nowadays, the production of cubic zirconia is flawless, while diamonds, almost always, have some type of defect, like a feather, a bit of crystal, or residues of original crystal face.
o Refractive index: Cubic zirconia’s refractive index is 2.176, while diamonds’ is 2.417.
o Cut: There are cubic zirconias that use different surface shapes that are normally used for diamonds. This is a difference that can only be seen with a magnifying glass.
o Lack of color: CZ can be made completely colorless and comparable to a perfect “D” on the diamond’s color grading scale, while only very rare diamonds are totally colorless. The majority has a little yellow or brown in them.
o Thermal conductivity: CZ is a thermal insulator; a diamond is one of the best thermal conductors.
If you are in the wholesale jewelry business and are always looking for new valuable information to offer your clients as an added value, use this article to let them into several of the most interesting facts about cubic zirconia in comparison to diamonds. Most certainly they will find it valuable and will remember you as a considerate, caring, and intelligent businessperson.
If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.paradisojewelry.com as the original source).
Will a Crystal Hard Case Stop Your Cracked Hinge on Your DS From Flooping Up and Down?
my ds hinge got cracked and its getting annoying how it keeps going up and down so will a crystal hard case stop it?
I think that would just be a temporary fix, maybe you should try to repair the hinge itself
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