Cubic Zirconia – An Affordable Alternative to Diamonds

Cubic zirconia jewelry has become an increasingly popular choice for engagement rings, wedding bands and other pieces of glitzy jewelry. Offering an affordable alternative to diamonds with similar visual characteristics.

But despite its widespread appeal, there are a few things you should know about cubic zirconia before making a purchase. Here are the main points: It is colorless.

It’s a manmade stone

Cubic zirconia is an artificial stone designed to look similar to diamonds. Crafted out of zirconium dioxide crystalline structure, cubic zirconia features no inclusions and is an almost pure crystal for maximum brilliance and clarity compared to real diamonds. Additionally, cubic zirconia can also be colored using various elements that mimic various gemstone colors – it can even be dyed to look like rubies or sapphires!

One downside of synthetic stones is their lower resale value than real diamonds; therefore, you may wish to look elsewhere for your big purchase. But synthetic diamonds make for an affordable and long-term option if you prefer diamond-style rings without breaking the bank – plus, hypoallergenic features make it suitable for people with sensitive skin!

Russian scientists first created synthetic diamonds as an alternative diamond material for laser technology in the 1970s. But soon thereafter they became popular jewelry pieces due to their brilliance and clarity – especially engagement rings and other pieces containing them. With a Mohs hardness rating of 8.5 it outshines diamonds as a choice for engagement rings or other jewellery pieces.

Cubic zirconia should not be confused with zircon, despite their similarities in appearance and name. Zircon is a natural gemstone made up of zirconium silicate while cubic zirconia is manufactured using synthetic synthetic crystals.

Although many may admire the classic appeal of natural diamonds, spending thousands of dollars can sometimes be beyond one’s means or financial capacity. Cubic zirconia provides an affordable and stylish alternative that delivers all the sparkle and fire of its real counterpart – without breaking the bank in doing so!

It’s colorless

Diamonds may be the ultimate symbol of love and romance, yet their high price tags reflect their geological history and market forces. Luckily, diamond-simulant cubic zirconia offers all of this beauty without its high cost tag.

Man-made cubic zirconia gems can often be mistaken for real diamonds due to their similar colors and appearance, yet any professional jeweler can tell the difference between the two gemstones. Although both stones rank 8.5 on Mohs scale scale, there are significant variations between their attributes that distinguish each gemstone.

Cubic zirconia gemstones feature a lower refractive index than diamond, meaning they don’t shimmer quite as brightly. Real diamonds bend and refract light, giving them their signature brilliance; in comparison, cubic zirconia disperses light; this may put off some customers seeking something with an eye-catching appearance.

Some manufacturers add impurities to their cubic zirconia in order to produce colored gemstones such as pink or blue gems, using rare earth elements such as erbium, europium and holmium to achieve this effect. Although such stones are beautiful, they’re not hypoallergenic – coming into contact with certain metals such as copper or nickel may lead to allergic reactions in some people.

Cubic zirconia engagement rings are popular choices, yet don’t have a high resale value or risk of damage compared to other gemstones. Therefore, this stone should only be considered when worn occasionally rather than every day for decades at a time.

It’s affordable

Cubic zirconia is less costly than diamonds due to requiring less extensive mining processes, making it an attractive option for budget-minded shoppers seeking a taste of diamond lifestyle without spending hundreds on an actual stone. Cubic zirconia can even be sold at prices far less than natural diamonds can command!

But this doesn’t mean it’s wise to purchase cheap cubic zirconia rings or earrings; for maximum value for your money, opt for high-grade CZ from trusted jewelers and compare it with other gemstones such as moissanite. Keep in mind that cubic zirconia shouldn’t be exposed to water for extended periods, as repeated exposure could cause it to turn green and wear away over time.

Cubic zirconia is an affordable yet long-term investment, boasting an 8-8.5 Mohs hardness rating that makes it suitable for jewellery designs. Furthermore, its scratch and heat resistance make it suitable for accidental bangs against objects; additionally it won’t chip or shatter when accidentally bumped against something! However, cubic zirconia may not be as tough as real diamonds – moissanite is much harder and thus more likely to survive drops without cracking or shattering when dropped onto surfaces; therefore cubic zirconia might succumb more quickly in this situation.

Cubic zirconia should also be taken into consideration as not being an actual mineral as it can be created artificially in a laboratory rather than naturally. Instead, it’s actually a synthetic compound made up by mixing zircon with different elements to achieve different colors; iron and copper can be added for yellow cubic zirconia production while erbium or europium create pink and blue variations respectively.

It’s durable

Cubic zirconia is an impact-resistant material made up of hard materials that is scratch-proof. As such, it makes for ideal jewelry wearability as its durability stands up better against everyday wear and tear than natural diamonds which may fracture under forceful impact.

Cubic zirconia can be dyed using various elements to achieve an array of hues that mimic fancy colored diamonds and gemstones, making cubic zirconia an increasingly popular diamond simulant option. What’s more, cubic zirconia is more affordable than genuine gemstones – perfect for budget-minded buyers!

Cubic zirconia may appear similar to real diamonds, but it’s important to be mindful of some key distinctions. A genuine diamond has the distinctive quality that jewelers and gemologists refer to as sparkle or brilliance; this results from how light bends through its interior as it passes through it before reflecting back out through multiple surfaces known as facets, giving off its characteristic sparkle. Cubic zirconia does not refract light in quite the same manner so therefore cannot achieve the same level of brilliance.

Another key distinction between cubic zirconia and real diamonds lies in their lack of inclusions – flaws visible under 10x magnification that may exist within diamonds. While such diamonds exist, it’s extremely rare and extremely expensive.

Cubic zirconia does not hold the same resale value as genuine diamond, since it’s easier and less costly to locate and acquire, thus possibly not holding as much sentimental significance for those seeking wedding bands or engagement rings.

It’s versatile

Cubic zirconia engagement rings and bridal jewellery have become increasingly popular due to its resemblance to diamonds. Furthermore, this versatile material comes in multiple colors for bride-to-bes to choose from and allows them to find an engagement ring that satisfies both their budget and personality.

CZ can be found in many glitzy wedding pieces worn beyond engagement rings, such as chandelier earrings and royal wedding-inspired bridal tiaras. Such pieces would otherwise be made with natural or lab-created diamonds; however, CZ offers an affordable solution for brides looking to stretch their budget.

CZ jewelry may be durable, yet can still be scratched by rough surfaces and household cleaners. Furthermore, its hardness (diamond rates at 10 on Mohs scale versus 8.25-8.5 for CZ) varies widely and it could lose its sparkle over time without proper care if left neglected – regular cleaning and avoiding harsh chemicals are keys to maintaining its brilliance and splendor.

One way to keep your CZ jewelry looking its best is to put it on last when dressing, as chemicals in perfume, hairspray or makeup may alter its color. You should remove it prior to using lotions or cleaning products, store it separately from other gemstones or metals to avoid scratches, and clean with mild soap or jewelry cleaner regularly – additionally placing your CZ jewelry in a soft pouch or box can provide further protection from scratches. With care taken over time your CZ may even become cloudy or yellow due to time and wear-and-tear effects.