Cubic Zirconia Versatility

Cubic Zirconia crystals are born about 5 cm long and more than 2 cm wide and are later cut and shaped into gleaming gemstones for rings and earrings, mounted into engagement rings and men’s rings and sold throughout the world. Some cubic zirconias have certain metal oxides that give the zirconia a colored hue similar to amethyst, emerald, ruby, sapphire or yellow diamonds.

There is also a coating, a diamond-like carbon, that may added later to the stones that alters their color, makes them harder and makes them even more difficult to distinguish from diamonds. Since there is such a wide range of color, size and shape, the versatility of cubic zirconia rings is greater than that of diamonds and therefore you can satisfy your ring taste no matter how eccentric. You can give a singular, unique, designer name or custom made cubic zirconia ring to delight your lady much easier than ever before.

What are the most obvious differences between diamond and cubic zirconia rings?

There are no OBVIOUS differences that will immediately make friends or family comment on the fact that your engagement ring is a cubic zirconia and not a diamond. The untrained eye usually cannot see any difference at all. However, from a technical standpoint here are the differences:

• Cubic zirconia gemstones are more prismatic than diamonds, which simply means that a cubic zirconia ring (with the same cut and shape and size of a diamond) will sparkle more.
• Diamonds are well known for their hardness and this is also true of a cubic zirconia. The difference is two points on the scale that measures gemstone hardness, the mohs scale. While a diamond is a 10, a cubic zirconia is an 8.
• Cubic zirconia stones tend to be heavier than diamonds, almost 2 times heavier. Keep this in mind when selecting cubic zirconia chandelier earrings. For rings it’s not a big consideration because rings in gold, silver, titanium or platinum will be somewhat heavy anyway.
• Cubic zirconia jewelry uses flawless cubic zirconia gems, without defects of any kind, whereas diamonds almost always have some imperfection or natural flaw.
• The way in which cubic zirconia stones reflect light is a little different from diamonds and this is, in part, due to the way cubic zirconias are cut. These differences are only noticeable when subject to expert inspection with a loupe magnifier (which jewelers use to view diamonds and gemstones).
• Cubic zirconia rings are unique because they are totally transparent and colorless unless tinted or coated. Diamonds almost always have a slight hint of yellow or brown which diminish their brilliance. Only the rarest diamonds (that are categorized as perfect “D” on the diamond grading scale) are as clear as a cubic zirconia.
• Diamonds are sometimes used for non jewelry related purposes because they are thermal conductors. Cubic zirconia are exactly the opposite, they are thermal insulators.

As you select your jewelry, be it a ring, an engagement ring, a wedding band, complete wedding ring sets, earrings to match your bridal gown, men’s rings for the groomsmen, bridesmaid gifts or any other jewelry to accent your wardrobe, seriously consider cubic zirconia for quality, versatility and price.

If you are attracted to the exceptional designs available in cubic zirconia jewelry, and are even more enticed by their affordability, then you will want to take a minute to read about what makes a cubic zirconia so special. The low price of cubic zirconia rings is in no way a reflection of poor quality, it is simply the result of how they have come into being.

What is a Cubic Zirconia?

Cubic zirconia, also simply called CZ, is a brilliant manmade diamond lookalike, which is masterfully crafted using the cubic crystalline structure of zirconium dioxide. Although it is a synthetic material, it is extremely hard, not quite as hard a real diamond (but almost), and harder than most natural gemstones. It is very difficult to detect the difference between a genuine diamond and a cubic zirconia without viewing under a lens and knowing what to look for.

Will Everyone Know it’s Not a Diamond?

To the untrained eye it is very difficult to distinguish the difference between a cubic zirconia ring and a diamond ring. One way the experts know is that most diamonds have slight imperfections while cubic zirconia are flawless. This flawless perfection, as well as their low price, has made them one of the preferred gemstones for engagement rings, wedding rings and earrings since the mid 1970’s when they began to be mass produced.

CZ rings set with gold ring bands and cubic zirconia silver rings or white gold bands, as well as the popular titanium rings with cubic zirconia gems, can be as dazzling a creation as their expensive diamond designer ring counterparts. The traditional engagement ring (and wedding rings sets) is often one of the most costly parts of getting married, but with cubic zirconia rings, engagement rings and wedding rings can be, not only affordable, but as sparkling and dazzling as diamonds. And it’s doubtful anyone except an expert jeweler will be able to tell them apart.

Are Cubic Zirconia Rings New? Are there vintage Rings or Antique Engagement Rings in Cubic Zirconia?

Although the process to have a cubic zirconia ring does not require the millenniums of compressing coal as it does for a diamond, it has been a long process for scientists to arrive at such magnificent imitations. The discovery of natural cubic zirconia dates back to the late 1800’s, but growing them as single crystals began in the 1960’s in France and was perfected in Moscow in the early 70’s. There are stunning cubic zirconia engagement rings from the 60’s and 70’s which are now considered vintage jewelry or classic antique engagement rings and can be found online or at secondhand jewelry shops specializing in vintage wedding rings.

In 1980 cubic zirconia stones took the jewelry industry by storm and became a significant rival to the diamond trade. Since then, cubic zirconia rings, earring, engagement rings and wedding rings have evolved to include designer rings, silver rings, gold rings and wedding ring sets as stunning and magnificent as celebrity jewelry creations previously only seen in magazines and diamond ads.

Read More at: Zirconia Rings – Not just About Price.