Cubic zirconia (CZ) is an artificial gemstone used as an economical and scratch-resistant alternative to diamond.
CZ jewelry is hypoallergenic and won’t trigger an allergic response, offering Laie Jewelry customers a range of stylish cubic zirconia necklaces at competitive prices.
Hvad er Cubic Zirconia?
Cubic zirconia (CZ) is an affordable and durable synthetic gemstone created in a lab to mimic the properties and appearance of diamonds. They can be seen resembling diamonds in appearance; thus making CZ an excellent option for engagement rings and fashion pieces, dental implants and medical devices.
Cubic Zirconia is produced by melting zirconium oxide in a metal chamber and mixing in other elements such as calcium and magnesium before heating the mixture to nearly 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit, yielding crystals which can then be cut into many different shapes – round, oval, pear- and emerald-cut stones among them – before being color treated using different elements to give an endless rainbow of hues and options.
Cubic zirconia stones cost significantly less to produce than diamonds, bringing down costs considerably and offering significant savings compared to real stones of equal size. A one-carat CZ ring may run you around $100; by comparison, its equivalent real diamond will likely cost much more. As soon as your stone grows larger though, the difference becomes less marked.
Cubic zirconia is known for being extremely durable, withstanding heat and pressure with ease, making it the ideal material to pair with precious metals like silver and platinum. However, be mindful that an inferior setting could cause your CZ ring to tarnish over time or even turn dull over time.
Cubic zirconia has long been revered as an empowering stone with metaphysical properties, widely considered an aid to logical thinking and impartial conduct. Furthermore, many consider it an energizing stone which opens up third-eye chakra and brings with it an increased feeling of spiritual enlightenment.
Cubic zirconia makes an affordable, versatile, and beautiful addition to any jewelry collection – the ideal gemstone alternative for those with sensitive skin who require synthetic materials as replacement gems. Perfect as gifts – with proper care your cubic zirconia necklace will remain as sparkling as ever for many years to come!
How to Care for Cubic Zirconia Jewelry
CZ jewelry can provide a stunning diamond-esque appearance at an economical price point. While not composed of carbon like diamonds (which do), cubic zirconia jewelry has the same durable hard surface which helps it resist wear and tear more effectively than its carbon-based counterpart. Like other forms of jewelry, however, CZ may tarnish and dull over time without proper care but there are ways to quickly clean your CZ and restore its lustrous shine!
Before polishing jewelry, first make sure that it is free from nicks or scratches by using a soft cloth or rag to buff away dirt or residue that has collected. Lint-free cloth is best; otherwise particles could scratch the surface. After your ring has completely dried out, use a jewelry polishing cloth to restore its shine and shimmer.
Sanitize your CZ ring using gentle household cleaners such as mild dishwashing liquid or warm water mixed with some soap, taking care not to use harsher cleaners that could damage its material over time. Steam can also help sterilize jewelry, removing contaminants from its interior corners. Simply boil a kettle of water in your kettle/pan of water, hold your gem over the steam source while carefully holding onto it with oven gloves in your hand – be careful not to get any on yourself or get any directly on skin!
When not wearing your CZ ring, it is important to store it safely so it will not come into contact with other materials or chemicals. This may mean placing it in a box or holder to prevent scratches from coming into contact with it and placing it inside a jewellery bag when travelling to prevent other items in your luggage from damaging it.
Before showering, washing your hands, applying lotion or spraying perfume – and any other activity which might contain potentially harmful substances – it’s advisable to take measures to safeguard CZ jewelry pieces against harm and keep their beauty. This practice will ensure they always look their best!
What is the Difference Between Cubic Zirconia and Diamonds?
Cubic zirconia is an excellent diamond alternative due to its similarity in appearance and cost without breaking the bank. Manufactured in labs, cubic zirconia doesn’t come near as close in rarity or value to genuine stones but remains an affordable solution for people wanting a diamond lookalike without breaking their budget. Unfortunately it is less durable compared to real diamonds; scratches or chips more readily appear. Cubic zirconia’s less reflective properties also mean it won’t reflect light as brightly; thus it might suit those wearing jewelry frequently considering sapphire or rubies instead.
To easily distinguish real from cubic zirconia gemstones, simply look at them under natural lighting and examine its appearance under this light source. A diamond will have a characteristic white sparkle while cubic zirconia tends to give off more of an indirect rainbow-like gleam. Or use the water test: place the gemstone into a glass of water and see if it sinks to the bottom – this indicates its authenticity whereas floating jewelery suggests its cubic zirconia nature.
Touching is another easy way to determine whether a gemstone is genuine. A real diamond should feel cold to the touch while cubic zirconia will have warmer characteristics. In addition, real diamonds have an optical property known as dispersion which gives the gem its rainbow-like sparkle when seen from different angles; cubic zirconia won’t have this feature.
Finally, using a microscope allows you to evaluate a diamond for any imperfections. When looking through a microscope at a diamond you will observe tiny carbon particles which give its clarity grade; similarly cubic zirconia does not show signs of impurities that would cause it to be classified as low clarity diamond.
Your diamond simulant deserves proper care to remain looking shiny and new for as long as possible. Cubic zirconia is hard and scratch-resistant, ensuring it holds up well against regular wearing and handling. To maintain its lustre and keep it in top condition, wash regularly with mild dish soap in warm water – using a soft-bristled toothbrush is also effective at clearing away dirt or water spots; but to allow your piece time to dry between cleanings is recommended.
What is the Difference Between Cubic Zirconia and Other Gemstones?
Cubic zirconia (CZ), often called manmade cubic zirconia, has become increasingly popular as shoppers value its affordability and longevity. CZ gemstones are created by melting zirconium dioxide in a lab before cutting and polishing to various shapes and sizes before being set into fine jewelry pieces. Sometimes the settings feature less durable metal plating that may need replacing more frequently than the stone itself.
Cubic zirconia engagement rings have long been popular due to their lower prices than diamond options. Some even choose CZ as an interim step while they save up for their dream diamond ring; as CZ rings look so similar it may be difficult to distinguish them in bright lighting conditions.
CZ jewelry still rates an 8.0 to 8.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it durable enough for daily wear. Opals have much softer ratings (3 or lower), while diamonds remain as the hardest gemstone at 10.
CZ jewelry set in alloys that are susceptible to tarnishing may require frequent replacement, as opposed to pieces made of safe, hypoallergenic metals like sterling silver or gold. Though CZ itself does not cause allergies or rashes in some people, some alloys may contain nickel which may irritate skin conditions if worn too frequently; it is best to search for hypoallergenic pieces and avoid wearing yours when engaging in activities which involve contact with chemicals or water.
Cubic zirconia (CZ) jewelry provides better thermal insulation than diamond jewelry, meaning it will remain cooler than comparable natural stones pieces.
Some individuals opt for cubic zirconia jewelry because they fear losing or having stolen their real diamond ring, but it’s important to keep in mind that cubic zirconia cannot serve as an adequate replacement for wedding and eternity rings. When planning on getting married, precious metal rings such as 14K gold or platinum may be more suitable.