Brilliant is a specially processed natural mineral (diamond), consisting mainly of carbon molecules. That is, in terms of chemical composition, it is similar to ordinary soot, but due to the special structure of the crystal lattice, when cut, it acquires a unique (one might even say bewitching) brilliance.
Mankind has known this stone since antiquity, and throughout the time of its extraction and use, it was accompanied by the most mysterious legends and endowed with extraordinary properties. Now, when people have learned how to create artificial stones and produce zirconium (aka cubic zirconia) on an industrial scale, the value of a diamond has not become lower, but rather, on the contrary. For the right to own large diamonds, terrible crimes are still being committed, up to massacres. And there is hardly onethe lady in the world who would not agree to accept jewelry with these amazing minerals.
In jewelry, diamond and cubic zirconia are now used almost on an equal footing. Undoubtedly, products with natural diamonds are much more expensive, so not everyone can afford it. And everyone wants to wear beautiful earrings or pendants, regardless of financial situation, and therefore cheaper zirconium is almost always found in silver items, and more often in gold. How to distinguish cubic zirkonia from diamonds by external signs, many do not know, and therefore do not try to do this when buying. In fact, these two materials have such similar refractive indices that even experienced jewelers can confuse them during the initial examination. The difference between a diamond and cubic zirconia is, first of all, in its chemical composition. In addition, diamond is one of the hardest natural materials on earth (which cannot be said about cubic zirconia). Many physical parameters of a diamond (density, thermal conductivity) also differ significantly from those of zircon. Therefore, the question of how to distinguish cubic zirkonia from diamonds in the laboratory does not arise.
But do not run every time you buy a piece of jewelry in a specialized laboratory! Experts say that it is almost impossible for a layman to distinguish one stone from another, especially if it is small. To confirm the authenticity of diamonds, each product usually has a certificate or passport, which indicates the quality of the mineral, its purity, is confirmedauthenticity.
The only way to distinguish cubic zirkonia from diamonds by external features is by cutting. And then this method works only in the case when the stones are large enough. Cubic zirconia may have slightly rounded edges (which a diamond simply cannot have). So with minimal doubts about this, it is better to refuse the purchase.
Although there are still several methods of how to distinguish cubic zirkonia from diamonds, you should not count on them too much. Some jewelers recommend breathing on the stone (diamonds don't fog up). Others - to hold them on the glass (a diamond will definitely leave a trace on the glass surface, and he himself will not suffer a bit). But in a jewelry store, the buyer is unlikely to be allowed to do all these manipulations, so it’s better not to experiment, but to purchase expensive items from trusted sellers with an impeccable reputation.