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What is cubic zirconia?

Discover the allure of cubic zirconia, the dazzling rival to diamonds that is taking today’s jewelry world by storm. Often hailed as diamond’s affordable twin, cubic zirconia has been a staple in the jewelry industry for decades. But what exactly is this sparkling gem? Why has it become a popular choice among jewelry lovers around the world?

Cubic zirconia (commonly known as CZ) is a synthetic gemstone that looks very similar to diamonds. Its brilliance, fire and affordability make it a popular choice for those who want the look of a diamond without paying the hefty price tag, making it a hot topic of the year. The process of producing cubic zirconia began in the mid-1900s, when researchers first elaborated on its design. Oddly enough, it was originally produced for industry, but its true capabilities as a gemstone were quickly recognized. In the long run, innovative advances further develop the creative interaction and impact the properties of the gemstone, making it essentially indistinguishable from ordinary gemstones. 

In terms of durability, cubic zirconia is weaker than diamond. Diamond remains the hardest known material. This is a perfect stone that is unaffected by scratches and normal wear.

The extraordinary brightness of cubic zirconia is one of its outstanding properties. As the light causes a commotion around town, it moves and glows, creating a mesmerizing effect. 

Cubic Zirconia vs Diamond

The debate between cubic zirconia and diamonds is a classic one. Both gemstones have unique charm and appeal, but how do they compare to each other in terms of value, appearance, and durability?

Cubic zirconia and diamonds are two of the most popular gemstones and have long been the center of attention in the jewelry world. Diamonds are natural wonders formed over billions of years, while cubic zirconia is a man-made marvel that has won over people for its affordability and sparkling brilliance. 

Diamonds are pure carbon, while cubic zirconia is made from zirconium dioxide. This fundamental difference in composition gives each gemstone its unique characteristics.

Diamond has a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale. Cubic zirconia, while not as hard, is still a durable option for everyday wear.

Both gemstones are equally brilliant, but they refract light in different ways. Diamonds have a signature white sparkle that is classic and royal, while cubic zirconia has an iridescent fire, similar to moissanite. Diamonds come in a variety of colors, from colorless to yellow and brown. Cubic zirconia is usually colorless, but can be produced in a variety of colors through artificial laboratory cultivation. 

Price

One of the main attractions of cubic zirconia is its affordability. You don't have to spend a fortune to get the look of a diamond. 925 sterling silver is the most common matching metal. The price of this kind of jewelry is about 30$~70$. Most people can afford it, and this also reduces worries for most people because they don’t have to worry about the base. Damage and replacement will result in large losses.

Diamonds are natural and rare, and have higher prices. Their value also depends on the 4Cs: cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Generally, the larger the carat, the higher the clarity, and the higher the price. Moreover, most of the metals used with diamonds are gold, platinum, etc., and the price is equally expensive. The overall price is around 3,000$-100,000$. After all, different cutting shapes It will also affect the overall price.

Durable

The hardness of diamond basically does not need to consider its durability. There is no harder stone in nature. The Mohs hardness of cubic zirconia is 8.5. In fact, the difference between the two is not big. A series of activities such as actual wearing have also proved it. In this regard, its resistance to scratches and collisions is also very good. However, the clarity of cubic zirconia stones will decrease if worn for a long time because it will accumulate some fine substances, similar to turbid liquids and dust. , body sweat, oil, etc., after a few years your cubic zirconia ring may not be as shiny as when you bought it new. But there is no need to worry about this. After all, nothing is perfect. The price of a diamond ring is enough to buy a cubic zirconia ring and replace it for a lifetime. What I want to say is that you need to take this into consideration when purchasing and choosing.

Final words

After the explanation and comparison in this article, you should have a general understanding of the difference between cubic zirconia and diamonds. In fact, there is one more thing that has not been mentioned, which is the recent fluctuations in the diamond market. Its price is really elusive. The impact of artificial diamonds on the price of natural diamonds It is too big, causing the current price of diamonds to fall for several months in a row, so you need to consider carefully when buying a diamond ring. Diamond rings may no longer retain their value in the next few years. You only need to pay attention to the cubic zirconia ring as it will deteriorate over time as you wear it. It gradually loses its luster, and at that point you can switch to a style you like