Most of those who want to buy jewelry often wonder what is more expensive - zirconium or cubic zirconia. At the same time, they encounter such names as zirconium, zircon and cubic zirconia. Jewelry sellers operate with these words, often not understanding the differences. In fact, these are three completely different minerals. Zirconium is a rare metal that is not used in jewelry production. Its artificial counterpart, cubic zirconia, is called cubic zirconia. Zircon is a natural gem, rare in nature and very valuable.
Zirconium - metal
Zirconium is a chemical element of the periodic table with atomic number 40. It is a simple substance, metal, color - silver-gray. Among its main characteristics are high ductility and resistance to corrosion. Zirconium does not exist in its pure form in nature. For the first time it was obtained as dioxide only in 1789 due to chemical transformations.zircon, which is a natural zirconium silicate.
Historical background
Free from impurities, pure zirconium was isolated only in 1925.
Until now, the exact origin of the word "zircon" has not been established. Some researchers believe that it has its origins in the Arabic zarkun, which means cinnabar, or comes from the Persian zargun (golden).
The largest deposits, deposits of minerals containing zirconium, are located in India, Australia, Brazil, USA. The expanses of Russia are also rich in this metal, the country accounts for almost 10% of its world reserves. Thus, geologists have established that ores with zirconium are available in almost unlimited quantities on the Kola Peninsula, in magmatic outcrops of the Khibiny massif.
There are a lot of compounds that have zirconium in their composition. However, it occurs only in bonds with oxygen, as oxides or silicates. The main mineral in which it is present is the native and precious stone zircon.
Natural Gem Zircon
Zircon is a fairly expensive natural gem. Its value is comparable to sapphire. In terms of its physical properties and natural beauty, it is not inferior to most gems. This transparent stone has various color shades. It has a strong shine. Earlier in the East, this characteristic was noted separately, referring it to the younger brother of diamond.
Jewelry with this gem is known sinceancient times. In the Middle Ages, jewelers, not knowing the true physical and chemical nature of zircon, attributed it to an imperfect and undeveloped diamond by nature. Noting the significantly lower hardness of the stone and not such a strong shine after cutting. The fact that diamond has nothing to do with zircon, it is only a single crystal of zirconium metal, became known much later.
Zircon comes from igneous rocks. Its color is determined by the various chemical elements that are present in it. Jewelers generally prefer transparent zircon crystals. Which are pink, reddish brown and golden yellow.
Known varieties of zircon are: red-brown or orange hyacinth, straw-yellow jargon, green zircon.
Natural zircon is almost never found separately as a stone in jewelry stores. The main extraction of this mineral is carried out in the southeast, in Thailand, Burma, on about. Ceylon. The majority of jewelry zircons, the deposits of which are extremely rare, originate from the alluvial placers of Sri Lanka, about. Madagascar and Thailand.
It must be remembered that jewelry with the presence of zircon must be approached with caution in jewelry. This stone is fragile enough to break. Small zircons can lose their splash if not properly cared for.
Artificial zirconia stone
Zirconia is an artificial material, zirconium dioxide. It has a crystalline cubic lattice. The main application is jewelry, where it performsas a gem simulant. Rings and earrings with cubic zirconia are especially popular.
Fianite, zirconium dioxide, in its chemical and physical properties is an unstable chemical element. Its stabilization is achieved through the addition of yttrium, calcium, manganese oxides.
Fianites have a high refractive index of light, close to diamond. As a result, it is not always possible for non-specialists to distinguish it from this expensive stone.
Get cubic zirkonia chemically, through industrial crystallization. Initially, this mineral is colorless, color shades are added to it by the inclusion of transitional and rare earth elements.
So, orange, yellow and red colors are given by the addition of cerium. Chromium colors cubic zirconia green, neodymium - purple. The titanium metal gives the crystal a golden brown hue, while the irbit gives it a pink color.
Origin, name history
Zhianite owes its name to the Physical Institute of the USSR Academy of Sciences. It was the physicists of this structure who synthesized it in 1975.
Initially, scientists conducted experiments to create crystals that could improve the optical properties of a laser. Their work led to the creation of a mineral that resembles a diamond in appearance. But it has not found practical application in laser technologies. However, it has become one of the world's most popular gem imitators. Due to the fact that it has an artificial origin, it is not a precious stone.
However, this name stuckfor an artificial mineral only in the countries of Eastern Europe and in the republics of the former USSR. In other states, it is usually called zirconite.
Modern technology for the production of cubic zirkonia has been developed. These crystals grow quite quickly, at about 8-10 mm per hour. An industrial installation ensures the production of these stones in the amount of several thousand per day. As a result, the cost of cubic zirkonia is low.
Zirconia as inserts are used to decorate jewelry, mainly gold and silver. In costume jewelry, their use provides a contrast of various compositions, including as an imitation of diamonds.
It should be noted that there is also natural cubic zirconia, which is called tejeranite. It was first found in 1966 near Lake Baikal, in the Tejaran Gorge, which gave it its name.
This is a natural red or orange nugget. Its dimensions are small, up to 1.5 mm, which does not allow it to be used in jewelry.
Which is more expensive - zirconium or cubic zirconia
In order to understand the difference in the cost of zirconium and cubic zirconia, you need to get an idea of what is offered by modern jewelers on the market.
Practice shows that sellers themselves often cannot understand the difference, calling natural zircon zirconium, and zirconium dioxide - zircon, not cubic zirconia.
So how to distinguish zirconium from cubic zirconia?
Zircon gem, which is commonly called zirconium, is a natural rare mineral. cubic zirconia- artificial, synthetic, inexpensive stone. It is difficult for non-specialists to distinguish them at first sight, and for this you need to know some secrets.
So, we must remember that natural stones cannot be perfectly clean. They must be the presence of voids, inclusions. If they are not, then with a high degree of probability it is an artificial stone.
Zirconia and zirconium. What else is the difference? In weight. Artificial zircon is much heavier than its natural counterpart.
The color of the fian is bright, the brilliance is saturated. Natural zircons have a specific discreet diamond overflow.
Given that these are two minerals of different origin (natural and artificial stone), the question of what is more expensive - zirconium or cubic zirconia, is decided in favor of the first one.
Zircon prices
This gem is far from affordable for everyone. Its value is directly dependent on the color of the stone. Modern jewelers use mainly brown, red, green and blue minerals. In terms of cost, those with blue colors are in the first place. Next in descending order are red, green. The cost of stones with brown shades is much lower. With other colors - even cheaper.
Current market prices are roughly as follows: blue zircon costs between $170 and $400 per carat (the common unit of mass is 200mg - 0.2g). The cost of green and red minerals ranges from $150 to $250. Brown zircons cost between $100 and $150 per carat. Zirconium pricesother colors are 5-15% lower than those that have brown shades.
During the Middle Ages, zircons with red-brown and bright red hues, which are also called hyacinths, were considered very popular gemstones. They were valued a little less than pearls. However, interest in them has now declined significantly. Hyacinths are mainly in demand among people who are interested in the paranormal and are fond of esotericism.
Price for cubic Zirkonia
The price of an artificial analogue of zircon, cubic zirconia, is low, depends on the color of the stone, does not exceed 3 US dollars per carat.
The modern jewelry market has set approximately the following prices for cubic zirkonia: small ones, in a batch of 100 pieces, cost about 10-15 dollars in wholesale markets. Their value is significantly influenced by a number of factors.
Zirconia, which imitate rubies, emeralds, sapphires, topazes, are more expensive. This is due to the fact that green and blue colors are more difficult to synthesize. As a result, their prices are 2-3 times higher.
Based on the size, the cost of cubic zirkonia is different. All artificial zircons up to 3 carats basically have a standard cost. Larger, heavier cubic zirkonia are usually more expensive. Their cost is directly dependent on the manufacturer, as well as on specific additives in the stabilization of an artificial mineral.
The price of cubic zirkonia is also affected by the cutting methods applied to them. However, it is installed on a specific product by a jeweler. Taking into account the fact that the stone is quite simple in processing, it is given all kinds ofshapes, including traditional diamond ones. Drop-shaped, heart-shaped, five-sided polygon shaped higher.
The manufacturer also matters when setting the cost of cubic zirkonia. For example, Swarovski, a world-famous manufacturer of artificial crystals, sells its stones at higher prices than those produced in China and Thailand.
Based on the foregoing, it follows: when answering the question of what is more expensive - zirconium or cubic zirconia, we must remember that the latter has nothing to do with precious and native stones, unlike zircon (zirconium), has nothing. It is a fairly simple artificial creation with low production costs.
