Ryan Thompson's definitions
Cubic zirconia (sometimes called simply 'cz') is the most popular diamond simulant in the world today. It is an oxide of the metallic element zirconium, ZrO². It has a hardness of about 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, as opposed to diamond, which is 10, sapphire/ruby which is 9, topaz which is 8, and so on. The refractive index of CZ is 2.42. It can be made in nearly any color and can be faceted into many cuts.
CZ occurs naturally but in pieces too small for jewelry purposes. It wasn't until the 1970s however when Soviet scientists learned how to grow this mineral in the laboratory, at which time jewelry designers first took notice of cubic zirconia. For the first few years it was on the market it was often sold for as much as $20 per carat (!!) and was only available in a few colors.
CZ is more dense than diamond -- it weighs more for its size than diamond does. Sapphire and ruby, both of which are the same gemstone, just different colors, are also more dense than diamond. CZ is about 75% heavier than diamond. As such, a CZ's size is referred to in carats usually in comparison to diamonds. CZs are more accurately measured in millimeters, referring to the width of the stone. A 6.5 mm cubic zirconia is equal in size to a one-carat diamond and actually weighs about 1.75 carats.
CZ isn't grown/created like any other imitation gemstone in the world, either. A high radio-frequency "skull crucible" system is used, in which the melting zirconia powder actually creates the sides of its own container during its formation. Cooling this extremely hot molten ore becomes the most crucial step in the entire process. A carefully programmed cooling procedure is required to form the flawless crystals -- metal pipes in a coil-shape with water running through them are used to cool down the material, in the center.
CZ occurs naturally but in pieces too small for jewelry purposes. It wasn't until the 1970s however when Soviet scientists learned how to grow this mineral in the laboratory, at which time jewelry designers first took notice of cubic zirconia. For the first few years it was on the market it was often sold for as much as $20 per carat (!!) and was only available in a few colors.
CZ is more dense than diamond -- it weighs more for its size than diamond does. Sapphire and ruby, both of which are the same gemstone, just different colors, are also more dense than diamond. CZ is about 75% heavier than diamond. As such, a CZ's size is referred to in carats usually in comparison to diamonds. CZs are more accurately measured in millimeters, referring to the width of the stone. A 6.5 mm cubic zirconia is equal in size to a one-carat diamond and actually weighs about 1.75 carats.
CZ isn't grown/created like any other imitation gemstone in the world, either. A high radio-frequency "skull crucible" system is used, in which the melting zirconia powder actually creates the sides of its own container during its formation. Cooling this extremely hot molten ore becomes the most crucial step in the entire process. A carefully programmed cooling procedure is required to form the flawless crystals -- metal pipes in a coil-shape with water running through them are used to cool down the material, in the center.
CZ is often spoken of negatively because it is a synthetic gemstone. It is durable, very bright, can be grown in a varity of colors and when well cut it is a very convincing diamond substitute.
See related:
diamond
gold
platinum
bling
bling bling
jewelry
See related:
diamond
gold
platinum
bling
bling bling
jewelry
by Ryan Thompson September 25, 2004
Get the cubic zirconiamug. Refers to the carbonated, semi-sweet to sweet alcoholic beverages which became popular in the late-1990s. The 'bitch' part of the term originates from the the fact the fact women are the general consumers of the beveridge. It should be noted the term 'bitch beer' is the most widely version term for this meaning, by far. The much lesser used version of this term is 'bitch brew'.
Smirnoff Ice, Bacardi Silver, Mikes Hard Lemonade, Ice Tea, etc, Doc Otis, Henry's Hard Lemonade (from the Henry Weinhard Co.)
by Ryan Thompson November 4, 2004
Get the bitch beermug. The National Man-Boy Love Association. They are a group of men, mostly over 30, who like to date/have sex with underage boys. They like to use historical "evidence" like how in ancient Greece, this sort of thing was tolerated, to try and support their movement. (They also like to take text from books, out of context, to support their movement, the author unaware of their doing so, thus making that author look bad.)
Many people don't even realize the group exists and assume it was something made up for that episode of "South Park", which unfortunately is false.
Many people don't even realize the group exists and assume it was something made up for that episode of "South Park", which unfortunately is false.
'Butterfly Kisses' is the lesser-known female equivalent of the group. It is based out of Sweden. Both groups make honest, lawful tax-paying gays and lesbians look really, really bad.
by Ryan Thompson June 21, 2004
Get the NAMBLAmug. Sapphire is a type of corundum. It occurs in every color except red, because red corundum is ruby. It is actually more durable than diamond, even though diamond can't be scratched. Durability in this case refers to corundum's ability to withstand wear and tear.
Some sapphires grow in the earth in such a way that when they are cut cabochon style (which is basically a smooth, domed shape), they display a six-rayed star that moves around as the stone is moved around a fixed light source. This is refered to as "asterism".
Some sapphires grow in the earth in such a way that when they are cut cabochon style (which is basically a smooth, domed shape), they display a six-rayed star that moves around as the stone is moved around a fixed light source. This is refered to as "asterism".
The Rockefeller Sapphire, blue, 62 carats.
The Star of India, grayish blue, 563 cts.
The Star of Asia, blue, 330 carats.
The Stuart Sapphire, blue, 104 cts.
The Star of India, grayish blue, 563 cts.
The Star of Asia, blue, 330 carats.
The Stuart Sapphire, blue, 104 cts.
by Ryan Thompson January 7, 2004
Get the sapphiremug. Hallucination. Your vision shows a double image, one slightly off center from the other. Sometimes associated with illness or drug use.
Jake has a disease that affects his balance. Sometimes he has to sit down until he stops seeing double and the spinning goes away.
by Ryan Thompson June 16, 2004
Get the seeing doublemug. A type of quasi-marriage some places (in the US) offer for gays and lesbians. Its marriage, but not quite marriage. It is like 'seperate but equal' in that it is inherently discriminatory.
One drinking fountain was for whites, the other was for blacks, but the one for blacks rarely worked right.
In most places in the United States only straight people can marry. For gay people, civil unions are the 'seperate but equal' answer.
In most places in the United States only straight people can marry. For gay people, civil unions are the 'seperate but equal' answer.
by Ryan Thompson August 1, 2004
Get the civil unionmug. A form of United States currency, specifically a Federal Reserve Note, which is the paper currency presently used by the United States. The ink on the reverse side of Federal Reserve Notes being green is what led to the nick name "greenback". To a lesser extent, Silver Certificates and United States Notes also had green backs, but the seal and serial numbers on the front were printed in blue instead of green ink. They were last issued in 1957 and 1966, respectively. Your parents probably remember them.
'Greenbacks' have been printed since before the turn of the 20th century, when the size of the paper currency was printed on was about 1/3 wider and 1/3 longer than its present size.
by Ryan Thompson January 4, 2004
Get the greenbackmug.