What is Cubic Zirconia

Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is a synthetically created gemstone. It’s actually a man-made crystalline substance created in a laboratory. That’s right, it’s 100% man-made.

It was first cultivated for its potential usefulness in the laser field because it could mimic the properties of the natural gemstones used by lasers. Natural gemstones are of course more expensive than their laboratory cousins so cubic zirconia was a natural for that line of work. And because of those properties, cubic zirconia was later developed in the 1970’s as an artificial gemstone. 

Originally produced to simulate a diamond, cubic zirconia stones are very high quality. In today’s jewelry market though, their role has expanded. Now they can be created to simulate rubies, sapphires, and other gemstones. It’s a very versatile substance.

Cubic zirconia is sometimes referred to as a “synthetic diamond.” That’s because it can be made to resemble many of a diamond’s characteristics. CZ stones are usually colorless but they can be “colorized” during their creation to take on the slight yellow or brown tinge that most real diamonds have.

They have a dispersive power that’s greater than a diamond. That means they reflect light more than a diamond so they sparkle more brilliantly. In some cases this is one way for an untrained eye to tell the difference between a CZ stone and a comparable sized diamond. But this sparkle property is also one of the elements that make cubic zirconia jewelry so attractive in the first place.
Though not as hard as a real diamond, cubic zirconia stones are heavier – something less than twice as heavy on average. Handle two same-sized stones (one diamond and one CZ) next to each other and you’ll be able to tell the difference.

But even with all of these differences, it can still be extremely difficult trying to distinguish the real diamond from the synthetic one. The one key tell-tale is that cubic zirconia stones are virtually flawless while diamonds almost always have some sort of flaw. That’s the difference between man-made and natural. In those cases, the distinction can only be made by a jeweler’s loupe.

Just like any other gemstone, CZ stones are graded on the “Four C’s.” You could spend weeks reading and learning about the four C’s; here’s the short version:

• Carat – the term used to express the actual weight of a stone, 200 milligrams equals one carat. Since CZ stones are heavier than diamonds, if you compared two stones of equal carat weight the diamond would be larger.

• Cut – the term used to represent the combined qualities of the stone after it’s been chiseled from its raw state into a finished product. Poorer cuts have less symmetry or proportion which directly impact the stone’s brilliance and beauty. CZ stones usually score well in this category.

• Clarity – the term used to describe the purity or clearness of a stone. There is a whole scale based around the number and types of internal and external imperfections a stone might have. CZ stones have very high clarity because they are man-made.

• Color – the term used to describe the amount of color a stone contains. Again, there is a scale used to measure color as it moves across its color range. CZ stones are generally colorless but they can be made to hold several different hues.

Of the four C’s, cut is the only one that is a measure of craftsmanship. How good a job a cutter does on a stone can directly impact its sale price. Great raw stones can be ruined by bad cuts. The other three C’s are all determined by nature, or in the case of cubic zirconia, by the techniques used in the lab.

Because cubic zirconia loose stones are manufactured in the lab, it’s possible to find CZ gemstones in just about any size, shape, or color you could imagine. You can find cubic zirconia rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, etc. Any piece of jewelry you’ve ever admired probably is available somewhere in cubic zirconia – and at prices (sometimes wholesale prices) that are far lower than their natural gemstone counterparts

Remember that wholesale is a term that refers to the sale of goods in large quantities and (supposedly) at lower prices to retailers and other merchants. Keep in mind that wholesale prices are advertised in many, many places but unless you’re buying in bulk, you’re probably going to pay true retail prices. But generally speaking, price is not an object with CZ. Cubic zirconia jewelry will run you roughly one tenth the cost of comparable diamond jewelry. Larger discounts can also be found. In some cases, the setting in which the stones sit could cost you more than the stones themselves.

Fortunately, CZ stones are usually harder than the gemstones they’re made to emulate – except in the case of diamonds. Actual diamonds are harder than man-made CZ. Caring for cubic zirconia jewelry is easy though. You simply clean it just like you would any other gemstone. Just keep in mind that CZ stones are slightly more prone to scratches then natural stones so be gentle. That’s it, no special cleaners, tools, or processes. It’s pretty low-maintenance really.

You can find affordable cubic zirconia jewelry from any reputable jeweler. It’s becoming more and more popular because of its price point and because it looks great. Some people will buy several pieces even though they already have expensive diamond jewelry – many times it’s because they like to save the expensive stuff for the special occasions but delight in wearing jewelry every day. With CZ, they have no worries about losing or damaging their expensive trinkets.

Also, considering its low expense, cubic zirconia rings, bracelets, etc. are the perfect “splurge item.” If you want to treat yourself or perhaps someone you care for, you can easily afford a spur-of-the-moment gift of CZ. After all, who deserves it more?

As beautiful as it can be, even stunning cubic zirconia jewelry is not a good long-term investment. It does not hold its value like a natural gemstone. And it isn’t the most sentimental gift either. But with the proper care it can hold its luster and beauty for a very long time. And it can bring you a lot of joy.

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