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UnderstandWhat it is, what people ask, how far this page goes
Artificial products / Manufactured products · Artificial product type · Artificial material with no natural counterpart
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia
Also known asCZ
Man-made cubic zirconium oxide with no usual natural counterpart; it must not be called Zircon or Diamond. This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.
Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.
Questions people ask about Synthetic Cubic Zirconia
Every sentence below is followed by the registered fact it rests on; answers add no new facts and promise no outcome.
Q1Is cubic zirconia a kind of diamond, and how does it differ?
No: in the jewellery industry cubic zirconia is used as a diamond simulant, which looks like diamond and substitutes for it but has very different chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical and physical properties.GIA Introduction to Imitation GemsIt rates roughly 8.5 on the Mohs scale, short of diamond, and compared with diamond it shows marginally greater fire and somewhat lower brilliance.GIA Introduction to Imitation GemsGIA notes that it picks up scratches more readily than diamond does.GIA 4Cs blog (2016)Cubic zirconia has a hardness of 8.5 but scratches more easily than diamond, has less brilliance and slightly more fire, and colourless CZ may yellow over time.GIA 4Cs blog (2016)
Q2What is cubic zirconia made of, and how is it made?
It is zirconium oxide, ZrO2, usually with a stabilizer such as CaO or Y2O3 and various added colouring elements.GB/T 16553—2017It is man-made by heating powdered zirconium oxide to its melting point inside a metal chamber, then slowly moving the melt away from the heat source so that crystals grow at the bottom of the melt.GIA Introduction to Imitation GemsIt was introduced to the jewellery trade in the late 1970s and is not a mined gemstone.GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022Under CIBJO it has no routine natural gem counterpart, so it counts as an artificial stone, and its name must be used together with the term artificial product or artificial stone.CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Q3How well does cubic zirconia hold up to daily wear?
At roughly 8.5 on the Mohs scale it is a tough, lasting material, though less hard than diamond.GIA Introduction to Imitation GemsIt picks up scratches more readily than diamond does.GIA 4Cs blog (2016)GIA also reports that it can be rather brittle.GIA 4Cs blog (2014)
Q4Does cubic zirconia change colour or look worse over time?
It can: GIA reports that colourless cubic zirconia has been observed turning yellowish with time.GIA 4Cs blog (2014)It also scratches more readily than diamond.GIA 4Cs blog (2016)
Q5What colours does cubic zirconia come in?
It is made in many colours, commonly colourless, pink, red, yellow, orange, blue and black.GB/T 16553—2017The colours come from colouring elements added during manufacture.GB/T 16553—2017Its face-up fire comes from its optical properties, slightly more fire than diamond.GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems
Q6Can cubic zirconia go in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner?
Yes: in its cubic zirconia entry, GIA marks both ultrasonic cleaning and steam cleaning as safe.GIA 4Cs blog (2016)
Q7Is cubic zirconia the same as glass?
No: faceted colourless glass is a different, older and simpler diamond imitation, while cubic zirconia has a hardness of 8.5, hard and durable though not as hard as diamond.G&G Fall 2021 · GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems
What this page can answer
This page covers
- How Synthetic Cubic Zirconia forms and what gives its colourFormation setting, process and timescale, each finding graded and sourced
- How to identify Synthetic Cubic ZirconiaIdentification points from the research literature
- Caring for and wearing Synthetic Cubic ZirconiaCleaning, heat, chemicals and light, as the cited sources give them
- Hardness, density and refractive index of Synthetic Cubic ZirconiaEach value with its source and check date
- Synthetic Cubic Zirconia in English, Chinese and Japanese; national standard namesNames in four languages, the GB/T standard name and the suggested listing name, names in national standards; and: Do GIA, FTC, CIBJO and Gem-A use the same wording for it?
- Listing and disclosing Synthetic Cubic ZirconiaThe listing name to use; what must be disclosed before sale
- Standard clauses that define Synthetic Cubic ZirconiaWhich clause defines it, each cross-checked
What we cannot conclude
- Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
- Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
- Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.
Material research: formation, causes and history
What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.
How it forms
Synthetic cubic zirconia (CZ) is a fully man-made crystalline material, produced by heating powdered zirconium oxide to its melting point inside a metal chamber and then slowly moving the melt away from its heat source so that crystals grow at the bottom until the whole melt solidifies. Introduced to the jewelry trade in the late 1970s, it is used mainly as a diamond simulant. It is not a mined gemstone and has no routine natural gem-quality counterpart, and therefore is not formed in any natural geologic environment.
Scope: Applies to explaining the manufacturing methods and identity of synthetic cubic zirconia as a man-made product/diamond simulant; does not apply to treating CZ as a natural gemstone, and does not determine the origin or natural status of specific samples.
Sources GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Where it forms
Manufacturing environment: high-temperature melting inside a metal chamber (heated above the melting point of zirconium oxide), with the melt slowly moved away from the heat source so that crystals grow as it solidifies.
Sources GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Not applicable to a natural occurrence environment: synthetic cubic zirconia is wholly man-made, and no natural gem-quality CZ occurrence environment exists.
Sources GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
How it forms, step by step
Prepare zirconium oxide powder and place it inside a metal chamber (crucible).
Sources GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems
Heat the powder to its melting point until it is fully molten.
Sources GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems
Slowly move the melt away from its heat source so crystals grow at the bottom of the melt until the whole melt has solidified.
Sources GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems
Cut and polish the resulting crystal into finished gems or diamond imitation stones.
Sources GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems
Link to appearance
CZ's face-up 'fire' and brilliance come from its optical properties: slightly more fire but less brilliance than diamond, with a Mohs hardness of about 8.5, making it a fairly durable but less hard diamond imitation.
Sources GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems
Timescale
The source states that CZ was introduced in the late 1970s (the introduction date of the manufactured material, not a geological timescale).
Sources GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Supporting findings
Synthetic cubic zirconia is man-made by heating powdered zirconium oxide to its melting point inside a metal chamber and then slowly moving the melt away from its heat source so crystals grow at the bottom of the melt.
Evidence grade AScope: Applies to the melt-growth synthesis of CZ; not to any natural origin or occurrence.
Sources GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems
How it is identified
Cubic zirconia has good hardness (8.5) but scratches more easily than diamond and has less brilliance; it has slightly greater fire than diamond, and some people find its broad flashes of colour look artificial. Colourless CZ may yellow over time.
Evidence grade BScope: Describes identification features reported by a laboratory or educational source; it is not a test that a reader can rely on, and any single piece can only be identified by a gemmological laboratory.
Sources GIA 4Cs blog (2016)
Glass is a different imitation from cubic zirconia: faceted colourless glass is one of the oldest and simplest diamond imitations, while cubic zirconia has a hardness of 8.5 — hard and durable, though not as hard as diamond.
Evidence grade BScope: These are general features of glass imitations reported in laboratory notes on other gems, not a test specific to this material; any single piece can only be identified by a gemmological laboratory.
Sources G&G Fall 2021 · GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems
Other research findings
On the Mohs scale synthetic cubic zirconia rates roughly 8.5, so while it is a tough, lasting gemstone it falls short of diamond in hardness; compared with diamond it shows marginally greater fire and somewhat lower brilliance.
Evidence grade AScope: Applies to CZ's hardness and fire/brilliance properties; makes no judgment on a specific specimen's quality.
Sources GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems
In the jewelry industry, CZ is used as a diamond simulant (imitation or substitute): it looks like another gem and substitutes for it, yet has very different chemical composition, crystal structure, and optical and physical properties.
Evidence grade AScope: Applies to CZ's positioning as a simulant; does not imply CZ is diamond or any natural gemstone.
Sources GIA Introduction to Imitation Gems
Under CIBJO, artificial stones are artificial products that have no natural counterparts; synthetic cubic zirconia has no routine natural gem counterpart and falls into this category, and such names must be used together with the term 'artificial product' or 'artificial stone'.
Evidence grade AScope: Applies to the general naming and disclosure of artificial stones; not to a specimen's treatment or origin.
Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022
Limits of this research
- Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
- The source is an educational overview; it gives no per-specimen chemical formulation or growth-furnace parameters for CZ.
- The source provides no archival history beyond the late-1970s introduction; this is an introduction date, not a geological timescale.
Methodology
- Origin determination and its limits
- Quality grading and value factors
- How gemmology became a technical discipline
Evidence grades
- A
- Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
- B
- Institutional educational material
- C
- Specialist databases or cautious readings
A statement is never graded above its strongest source.
This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.
DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments
- Suggested listing name
- Synthetic Cubic Zirconia
GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4 “Synthetic Cubic Zirconia” · CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 4.3.4.1
Construction or treatment status
Artificial material with no natural counterpart
Related:Disclosure and cautions
This page cannot answer
Natural? · Origin · Price
A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.
Related:What this page can answer
Answer at a glance
"Synthetic Cubic Zirconia" is a market name rather than a mineral species name; before using it, verify: Not a mineral: man-made or non-mineral material.
Evidence
- GB/T · Table A.4, row 合成立方氧化锆 (Synthetic Cubic Zirconia)
What this means for you
Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Synthetic Cubic Zirconia" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.
Known uncertainty
- This entry's exact material identity is not fully settled.
- See “Disclosure and cautions” above
- Last reviewed
- 2026-09-01
Trade-name ruling
- Not a mineral: man-made or non-mineral material.
- Suggested listing name
- Synthetic Cubic Zirconia
Care and wear
Care
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — care (cleaning): in its cubic zirconia entry, GIA's care-and-cleaning line marks ultrasonic cleaning as safe; the same CZ entry lists steam cleaning as safe.
GIA 4Cs blog (2016)
- Treatment state
- any treatment state
Source & check 2026-10-06
- Source
- GIA 4Cs blog, “What Are Simulated Diamonds?” (2016-12-20): Section: main text (locator checked 2026-10-06)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-10-06
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — care (light): GIA reports that colorless CZ has been observed turning yellowish with time and can be rather brittle.
GIA 4Cs blog (2014)
- Treatment state
- any treatment state
Source & check 2026-10-06
- Source
- GIA 4Cs blog, “Jewelry Buyer’s Guide to Diamond Alternatives” (2014-04-30): Section: main text (locator checked 2026-10-06)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-10-06
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — care (wear): GIA notes that CZ picks up scratches more readily than diamond does
GIA 4Cs blog (2016)
- Treatment state
- any treatment state
Source & check 2026-10-06
- Source
- GIA 4Cs blog, “What Are Simulated Diamonds?” (2016-12-20): Section: main text (locator checked 2026-10-06)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-10-06
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
Common care questions and matching entries
Each question links to the matching entries on this page; whether they answer it fully, go by the entry wording.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Question | Matching entries |
|---|---|
| Can it go in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner? | in its cubic zirconia entry, GIA's care-and-cleaning line marks ultrasonic cleaning as safe; the same CZ entry lists steam cleaning as safe |
| Light and display | GIA reports that colorless CZ has been observed turning yellowish with time and can be rather brittle |
| Wearing limits (knocks, settings) | GIA notes that CZ picks up scratches more readily than diamond does |
VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources
Names
Besides Synthetic Cubic Zirconia, the name register records "CZ" and "Synthetic Cubic Zirconia", for which no restriction on use as a name is recorded (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4 “Synthetic Cubic Zirconia”).
Standard and listing namesThe GB/T 16552—2017 formal name is synthetic cubic zirconia (Table A.4), and the suggested listing name is Synthetic Cubic Zirconia; trade names and synonyms are CZ and Synthetic Cubic Zirconia (the English name in GB/T 16552—2017 Annex A, Table A.4); the mineralogical name is manufactured cubic zirconia (CZ), with no routine natural gem counterpart. Names in four languagesFour-language names are given in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (Synthetic Cubic Zirconia) and Japanese. Institution usageGIA, FTC, CIBJO and Gem-A each record their own wording, which differs: Laboratory-grown Cubic Zirconia (CZ), Laboratory-created Cubic Zirconia, Artificial product: Cubic Zirconia (CZ), and Artificial Cubic Zirconia; the qualification separated from the FTC heading is that manufacture must be disclosed, and the CIBJO one is that there is no natural counterpart. Japanese namesThe entry has its own Japanese name, and the wording of Japan's GSJ for it is not yet verified by this site. National standard namesGermany (RAL) writes Künstlicher Cubic Zirkonia, the EU writes Artificial Cubic Zirconia, noting that synthetic is not used because there is no natural counterpart, and France (DGCCRF) writes Zircone cubique.
Name register
Every name recorded for this entry, with how it is classified, whether it may be matched to this entry automatically, whether it may be used as a product name, and the clause it rests on.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Name | Type | Matching | Use as a name | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no restriction recorded (2) | ||||
| CZEnglish | short form | matched automatically | no restriction recorded | editorial ruling (no clause cited) |
| Synthetic Cubic ZirconiaEnglish | synonym | matched automatically | no restriction recorded | GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4 “Synthetic Cubic Zirconia”; Note: The English name given in GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A Table A.4 for synthetic cubic zirconia. |
How each authority words this name: see Names › Authority wording.
- GSJ (Japan) formal name
- キュービックジルコニア (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
- Chinese formal name
- 合成立方氧化锆 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.4)
- Mineralogical name
- Manufactured cubic zirconia (CZ); no routine natural gem counterpart
- Trade names and synonyms
- CZ (short form)
Four-language names
- 简体中文
- 合成立方氧化锆
- 繁體中文
- 合成立方氧化鋯
- English
- Synthetic Cubic Zirconia
- 日本語
- キュービックジルコニア
National and regional formal names
- Germany (RAL)
- Künstlicher Cubic Zirkonia (RAL 560 A6: kein natürliches Gegenstück)
- European Union
- Artificial Cubic Zirconia (EU: not "synthetic" — no natural counterpart)
- France (DGCCRF)
- Zircone cubique (pierre artificielle; pas "synthétique" car sans équivalent naturel)
Qualifiers stripped from the headline name
See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index
Classification
- Origin
- Artificial products / Manufactured products
- Material domain
- Artificial products / Manufactured products
- Browsing family
- Artificial gem products with no natural counterpart
- Identity tier
- Artificial product type
- Mineral chemical class
- Mixed / composition-dependent
- Construction or treatment status
- Artificial material with no natural counterpart
What it is and how it's identified
The composition of Synthetic Cubic Zirconia is registered as ZrO2, usually with a stabiliser such as CaO or Y2O3 and various added colouring elements; its structure is crystalline, cubic, with a massive crystal habit. Mohs hardness 8.5, cleavage none, density 5.6–6 g/cm³ (derived from the clause value of 5.80 with a tolerance of ±0.20). Optic character isotropic, refractive index 2.15–2.18 (derived from the clause value of 2.150 with a tolerance of +0.030), birefringence none, dispersion 0.06. Untreated, pleochroism is none, lustre subadamantine, and body colour any colour, commonly colourless, pink, red, yellow, orange, blue, black and others; luminescence varies with colour. The UV-visible spectrum is not diagnostic, and in the mid-infrared region the spectrum shows absorption bands characteristic of synthetic cubic zirconia. This site also notes that hardness alone is not enough to judge durability.
Registered material facts
Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.
Definition
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — composition (chemistry): ZrO2, usually with a stabilizer such as CaO or Y2O3 and various added coloring elements.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Structure
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — structure (overall): crystalline
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — structure (crystal system): cubic
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — structure (crystal habit): blocky
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Durability
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — Mohs hardness: 8.5
GB/T 16553—2017
Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- General note
- hardness only, not durability
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — cleavage: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Physical properties
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — density: 5.6–6 g/cm³
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives 5.80, with a stated tolerance of ±0.20. The range shown here is worked out from that.
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Optical
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — optic character: isotropic material
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — refractive index: 2.15–2.18
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
The clause we cite gives 2.150, with a stated tolerance of +0.030. The range shown here is worked out from that.
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — birefringence: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — dispersion: 0.06
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — pleochroism: none
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — fluorescence (overall): varies with colour; colourless: short wave weak to moderate, yellow; orange-yellow: long wave moderate to strong, green-yellow, orange-yellow.
GB/T 16553—2017
UV fluorescenceyellowweak–moderate, colourlessgreen-yelloworange-yellowmoderate–strong, orange-yellowDots are illustrative colours built from the colour names, not measured values
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — spectrum (UV-visible): non-characteristic
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — spectrum (infrared): The mid-IR spectrum shows the band pattern typical of synthetic cubic zirconia
GB/T 16553—2017
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — magnification: generally clean, may hold leftover zirconia that did not melt, sometimes breadcrumb-like appearance, bubble, conchoidal fracture on the outer surface.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — body colour: occurs in many colors, commonly colorless, pink, red, yellow, orange, blue and black.
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
- Qualification
GB/T 16553—2017 sums up the colour of Synthetic Cubic Zirconia as “all colours”; in its chapter 5, Tourmaline, Calcite, Opal and other variety clauses likewise say “all colours” or “all body colours”.
- General note
- colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-26
Quality factors
Synthetic Cubic Zirconia — quality factor (lustre): subadamantine
GB/T 16553—2017
- Treatment state
- untreated
- Does this standard apply
- applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
- Source
- GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.4.12 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
- Fact checked on
- 2026-09-21
Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.
This material (RI / SG midpoints): 2.165 / 5.8; Closest values: 1Cassiterite 2.046 / 6.95, 2Artificial Strontium Titanate 2.409 / 5.13, 3Artificial Gadolinium Gallium Garnet (GGG) 2 / 7.02, 4Sphalerite 2.369 / 4, 5Artificial Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (YAG) 1.833 / 4.55
Show the full chart (330 registered materials)
Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22
Clause-level definitions
The clause-level definition registered for Synthetic Cubic Zirconia is: term Synthetic Cubic Zirconia, clause GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A, defined as man-made cubic zirconia (CZ) with no conventional natural gem counterpart. The cross-check result is that it is listed directly in GB/T, and no identically titled standalone entry was found in CIBJO.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Term | Clause | Definition | Cross-check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cubic Zirconia (manufactured) | GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A | Manufactured cubic zirconia (CZ); no routine natural gem counterpart | Listed directly by GB/T; CIBJO carries no standalone entry under the same name. |
Evidence and sources
Authority basis and clause sources
Sources
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. Gemmological Laboratories Book (Blue Book), Gemmological Commission 2024-1.
- CIBJO – The World Jewellery Confederation. The Gemstone Book (Blue Book), 2022.
- SAMR / SAC (China). GB/T 16552—2017 Gems — Nomenclature.
- Federal Trade Commission (United States). In the Loupe: Advertising Diamond, Gemstones and Pearls.
Further reading
Related entries and topic cluster
Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.
This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.
| Page | Content | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing family | Artificial gem products with no natural counterpart | Live |
| Related articles | To be added (placeholder) | Planned |
Who maintains this page
The material facts in the Synthetic Cubic Zirconia entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.