Cubic zirconia cz is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide zro2 . The synthesized material is hard and but may, Usually colorless be made in multiple options of different colors. It should not be confused with zircon, That serves as a zirconium silicate zrsio4 . It is sometimes erroneously called cubic zirconium. Due to its low cost, Durability, And close visual likeness synthetic cubic, To diamond zirconia has remained the most gemologically and economically important competitor for diamonds since commercial production began in 1976. Its main competitor as a synthetic this stone type is a more recently cultivated material, Synthetic moissanite.