What's the difference between Lab diamond & Cubic Zirconia?

Lab-created diamonds and cubic zirconia (CZ) are both popular alternatives to natural diamonds, but they have distinct differences:

1. Composition:

   • Lab-created diamonds are made of carbon, just like natural diamonds. They have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as natural diamonds.
   • Cubic zirconia is a synthetic material made of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). It is not a form of carbon and does not have the same properties as diamonds.

2. Hardness:

   • Lab-created diamonds have a Mohs hardness rating of 10, which is the same as natural diamonds. This makes them very durable and resistant to scratches.
   • Cubic zirconia has a Mohs hardness rating of around 8.5, which is still relatively hard but not as durable as diamonds. It can be more prone to scratches and wear over time.

3. Brilliance and Fire:

   • Lab-created diamonds have the same brilliance and fire as natural diamonds, meaning they sparkle and reflect light in the same way.
   • Cubic zirconia has a different refractive index and dispersion than diamonds, so it may appear more sparkly with more colorful fire, but it can also look more artificial to the trained eye.

4. Cost:

   • Lab-created diamonds are generally less expensive than natural diamonds but more expensive than cubic zirconia. The cost savings come from the lab-grown process, which is less resource-intensive than mining.
   • Cubic zirconia is significantly cheaper than both natural and lab-created diamonds, making it a popular choice for affordable jewelry.

5. Environmental and Ethical Impact:

   • Lab-created diamonds are considered more environmentally friendly and ethical compared to mined diamonds, as they require less land and resource use, and there are no issues related to mining practices.
   • Cubic zirconia is also produced in a lab, so it shares some of these environmental and ethical benefits.

In summary, lab-created diamonds are chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds but are more sustainable and affordable. Cubic zirconia is a synthetic material that looks similar to diamonds but is not as hard, durable, or valuable.