by Ryan Thompson July 15, 2004
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 26, 2004
(Using the word in a coherent, non-ebonics sentence) He called me up and told me he was ballin, but I later found out he was cheating on me.
by Ryan Thompson January 10, 2004
A luxury car with a division window between the front and back seat, which can be raised and lowered by the occupants.
In America, limousines originally rolled off the assembly line as complete cars. They weren't super-stretched monsters. Around the late-1970s, early-1980s, companies began taking pre-existing cars (Cadillacs and Lincolns being the most popular choice) and stretching them by cutting them from one side to the other, between the front and rear doors, and 'filling in' in the middle.
In America, limousines originally rolled off the assembly line as complete cars. They weren't super-stretched monsters. Around the late-1970s, early-1980s, companies began taking pre-existing cars (Cadillacs and Lincolns being the most popular choice) and stretching them by cutting them from one side to the other, between the front and rear doors, and 'filling in' in the middle.
by Ryan Thompson January 10, 2005
An enlarged exhaust pipe that people sometimes add to their cars. The result is a fart-like sound from the engine. Some fart cans are just for show -- they only make noise, and don't make the car any faster.
This car modification is usually done to Asian import cars, but not always.
This car modification is usually done to Asian import cars, but not always.
by Ryan Thompson January 16, 2004
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 05, 2004
Ebonics. To give birth to a child, or children. Actual spelling of this term is 'birthing babies', even though it is pronounced differently. Even the correct pronunciation isn't really used outside the world of ebonics.
by Ryan Thompson September 05, 2004