Cubic Zirconia Jewelry

Cubic Zirconia may just be the next biggest thing to diamonds. They have long been known as a staple substitute to diamonds. It is not primarily because of its relatively lower costs but due to its soaring hardness and fascinating ability to reflect light just like the real ones. Before, it was used as a mere alternate to diamonds. But in the recent years, it has already made a steady empire of its own thus establishing itself as a stunning gemstone of its own right.

Cubic Zirconia is a fascinating synthetic stone that is both inexpensive and durable and recently even comes in a wide variety of colors making them more attractive. Their rainbow colored varieties has become one of the most favored stone by jewelers. In fact, cubic zirconia jewelry is rapidly getting a huge market share in terms of jewelry trade.

The story behind cubic zirconia gems started way back in 1937, when 2 German mineralogists discovered a cubic-like form of zirconium oxide. CZ is a mineral that is naturally very rare. However, it wasn’t until the early years of the 1970’s where scientist learned how to cultivate this mineral into the comforts of their own laboratories. The synthesized material is fairly hard, colorless and flawless. It can even be made in so many varieties of colors.

Due to its relatively lower cost and visual likeness to that of the diamond, cubic zirconia has remained one of the most important simulation of diamonds ever since the 70’s. In fact, at present you can easily find fine cubic zirconia jewelry which are more or less equal in terms of value to some gemstones.

Cubic Zirconia Versus Diamonds

Cubic Zirconia is significantly very close to diamonds which only a much trained human eye can differentiate the two. Here are some of their distinctions that only can be seen under the microscope:

Hardness. CZ stones scored a whooping 8.5 – 9 in the Moh’s scale compared to the unparalleled grade of 10 for the diamonds, although not as hard as diamonds but evidently harder than most gemstones.

Flaws. Modern manufacturing of CZ are virtually flawless, while a huge number of diamonds have natural defects referred to as inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external).

Colors. Only the rarest grades of diamonds are practically colorless and a huge percentage of them have a tinge of yellowish to brownish hues, whereas CZ’s can me made completely clear and colorless.

Specific Gravity. Cubic Zirconias are very much heavier than real diamonds. In fact, a CZ can weigh around 1.7 times more than a piece of diamond of the same size.

Thermal Conductivity. CZ’s are excellent thermal insulators whereas diamonds are known to be the most proficient conductors in the world, even exceeding the conductivity of copper.

If you’re on the look out for this diamond look-alike, you can find a lot of discounted and cheap cubic zirconia jewelry online. If you can’t make it to the nearest jewelry store, then the internet plays a very major role in the trade of these lovely stones. In fact, all can be done in single click of a button, without any hassle. However, even in the advent of technology, most buyers would still prefer to purchase them personally so as to have a good look at them. But the decision on how are you going to acquire one still remains in your hands.

Diamonds may be the most precious gemstone that ever walked the earth, but let’s face it, not all of us can afford to buy one. True, its splendor may remain unsurpassable but the magnificence of cubic zirconia should not be compromised because they really are the closet thing to diamonds at more than half the cost!