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Daily Wire Tip Feb. 27: Simulated and Cubic Zirconia Stones

By on February 26, 2011
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Daily Wire Jewelry Making Tip for
February 27, 2011

Question:

What’s the difference between simulated stones and Cubic Zirconia Stones?

-Robert in California, Maryland

Answer:

In many cases, simulated stones are made of faceted glass. Glass is made of silicates mixed with a variety of ingredients such as potash, lime, etc. Glass is very brittle and considered a “super cooled liquid”, rather than a “solid.” Also, glass will reflect light rather than refract it.

Amethyst Round Cubic Zirconia Stone

Cubic Zirconia is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide, and was created in 1976. Cubic Zirconia, or CZ, stones, have a hardness of 8.5 to 9 and a refractive index of 2.15-2.18, which is why they sparkle so.

Answer contributed by Dale “Cougar” Armstrong

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6 Comments

  1. avatar

    David Bates

    February 27, 2011 at 7:56 am

    Thanks Dale, Your answers are very informative as usual, and I have learned a lot from them.

    Gunny

  2. avatar

    leatherneck_v17

    February 27, 2011 at 8:45 am

    Hello Robert,

    One of my suppliers has a page on his website that really explains the difference in gemstones according to the FTC guidelines in “plain talk” so to speak. He also lists those gems are properly made in a lab; these stones have the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as its counterpart.

    He also defines the “Simulated Gemstones” term and lists the stones that fall under that catagory as well and what they are usually or can be a composite of.

    Hope this helps…

    Happy Wiring!!!

    _______________________________________________________________

    Lab Created Information

    What is a Lab Created Gemstone?

    Lab created and Lab grown and synthetic are synonymous terms. To use any of these terms, according to the FTC, the gemstone must be identical to the natural in every way. Composition, Hardness, and Optically. Below is an excerpt from the FTC guidelines for gemstone sales for your reference
    “(c) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word “laboratory-grown,” “laboratory-created,” “[manufacturer name]-created,” or “synthetic” with the name of any natural stone to describe any industry product unless such industry product has essentially the same optical, physical, and chemical properties as the stone named.”
    No Lab Gemstone is RARE, as the rough can be made anytime.

    Below is a list of Lab Gemstones and correct composition:

    Lab Emerald – Beryl(pricey)
    Lab Aquamarine – Beryl(Pricey)
    Lab Alexandrite – Color Change Chysoberyl(pricey)
    Lab Ruby – Corundum
    Lab Sapphire – Corundum
    Lab Spinel – Spinel
    Lab Diamond-Diamond(same cost as natural diamond)*pure carbon
    Lab Amethyst – Quartz
    Lab Citrine – Quartz
    Lab Ametrine – Quartz
    Lab Garnet – Garnet
    _______________________________________________________________

    Common Simulated Gemstones – simulated gemstones don’t have the same properties as the natural gemstones but resemble the natural stone

    Tanzanite – Glass(polysilicate) -Cubic Zirconia – Forsterite(expensive)
    Aquamarine – Glass – Lab Spinel
    Alexandrite – Lab Corundum / Color change glass
    Amethyst – Purple Glass – Cubic Zirconia
    Citrine – Yellow Glass – Cubic Zirconia
    Diamond – Cubic Zirconia – YAG – Mossianite
    Emerald – Glass – spinel – diffused topaz – Lab corundum
    Garnet – Glass – Cubic Zirconia – Lab Corundum
    Mexican Opal – Glass – Cubic Zirconia – lab Corundum
    Peridot – Glass – Cubic Zirconia
    Blue/Swiss Topaz – Glass – Lab Quartz – Lab Spinel
    Tourmaline – Glass – Lab Corundum – Lab Spinel

    • avatar

      dalecgr

      February 27, 2011 at 1:02 pm

      Wire-Sculpture also has a lot more information on gemstones and their ‘look-a-likes’ that can be found in our Resource Center such as the Gemstone Glossary. We also had a good discussion on ‘What is a CZ’ , back in June that will give some more insight.

  3. avatar

    Lori Crawford

    February 27, 2011 at 10:56 am

    Very good question and very good answer! Thanks so much!

  4. avatar

    Joe Barela

    February 28, 2011 at 2:50 am

    Hello everyone, very good answers. It is my understanding that lab created gemstones are identical chemically to their natural counterparts. Other than being man made their only other difference is that man made gemstones do not have inclusions and are perfect stones and often look better than their natural counterparts. Simulated stones often have to meet regulations like having a slight color mark added so they cannot be easily passed off as lab or natural. I do not think lab created has to meet such regulations as they are real gemstones and can be as costly as the natural like in the case of diamonds. Natural, clean stones,(without inclusions) are always more valuable than man made. I hope this info helps.
    JB

  5. avatar

    Niheala

    February 28, 2011 at 8:53 am

    Hi, just read this tip as posted, there is an error in your logic and perpetuates a myth that glass flows at room temp. Follow this link for clarity; http://www.cmog.org/dynamic.aspx?id=294
    This is from the Corning Museum of Glass.
    Thanks for your tips.