What is Cubic Zirconia and How Does It Compare to Diamonds?
In this blog we attempt to answer two questions. First, what is cubic zirconia? Second, why cubic zirconia is a good choice for engagement rings.
If you are reading this, there is a good chance you are in the market for an engagement ring? If so, congratulations. You’ve met the love of your life and you’re ready to make it official. Love is one of the most valuable things in life.
What you may not know, however, is that diamonds aren’t so valuable. If you’re examining your ‘traditional’ engagement ring options and suffering from sticker shock, don’t fret.
There are many options available to help you express your love without putting you and your soon to be bride in debt. If you’re ready to explore other options, you may have a lot of questions. If you’re wondering what is cubic zirconia and want to learn more about why it’s a smart choice for you and your partner, read on.
What is Cubic Zirconia?
So what is cubic zirconia? Cubic zirconia or CZ as its commonly known is a synthetic crystal. Technically, cubic zirconia is cubic crystalline which is a form of zirconium dioxide and only slightly more fragile than a diamond. According to popular belief, if a stone can scratch glass without becoming scratched itself, it’s a real diamond. However, some high-quality CZ can also scratch glass. Therefore this test is actually not a definitive way to determine whether a diamond is real or not. The test also demonstrates how hardy CZ can be.
Cubic Zirconia is a great alternative to ‘traditional’ diamonds, as it isn’t subject to the inflation associated with the diamond trade. Because it can be produced to meet market demands, it isn’t subject to the same monopoly that controls diamonds.
Natural diamonds are a substance produced by the earth, but it may surprise to learn that they aren’t nearly as uncommon as you might first think. While diamonds may be incredibly expensive, it turns out; diamonds aren’t so rare after all.
The diamond trade has long been an inflated market. Diamonds, which are compressed carbon, are produced from one of the most widely available elements on the planet, carbon.
In sum, Cubic Zirconia (CZ) are the ideal conflict-free alternative to diamonds with similar sparkle and fire, but at a fraction of the cost. A CZ is a synthesized (lab created) crystalline material that is colorless, hard, and flawless.
PHOTO 1: What is cubic zirconia? CZ is widely used as a diamond simulant in fake engagement rings. It can mimic diamond so well that is can easily pass off as a diamond to the naked eye. Seen above is a 14k Gold Vermeil CZ Solitaire Ring using high quality cubic zirconia from Luxuria® Diamonds.
More About Cubic Zirconia
How Cubic Zirconia Differs from Diamond
PHOTO 2: What is CZ? Cubic Zirconia is a cost-effective alternative to diamond. While Cubic Zirconia has a close visual resemblance to diamond it is crucial to remember that they aren’t identical. Seen above is an artificial solitaire ring using CZ from Luxuria® Diamonds.
Why Are Diamonds So Overpriced?
Having discussed what is cubic zirconia we now turn our attention to natural diamonds. So why are diamonds so expensive? Well, major players in the diamond industry have controlled the price of diamonds by controlling the supply. De Beers, namely, has had the largest role in turning compressed carbon into a product priced far above its value.
Because so few companies are responsible for the supply of diamonds, these major players are basically able to run an unchallenged monopoly for the diamond market.
It’s the rarity of their availability (rather than their supply) in the market that makes them so ‘desirable’. Further, diamonds have long been valued for the amount of dispersion they hold.
Dispersion is the amount of light that can be refracted by a stone and is what gives a diamond its sparkle. Because of new innovations in the production of cubic zirconia, it is now possible to create cubic zirconia that can offer even more dispersion than a typical diamond.
Is cubic zirconia a good choice for engagement rings?
Everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to engagement rings. Cubic zirconia is the best option if you’re on a very strict budget. Look for 925 sterling silver cubic zirconia engagement rings which are rhodium plated. These are beautiful, but inexpensive, and both the band and the stone will last many years if looked after.
A cubic zirconia engagement ring is also an excellent option if you think your taste will change over time. Diamonds last forever and it can be a daunting task to pick out a stone and setting you’ll want for years! Trends and desires change all the time. Cubic zirconia rings are very inexpensive, so you can choose one and wear it for a while to see if you like it.
Cubic zirconia also makes sense for use a travel ring. If you have a diamond engagement ring and don’t want to risk losing or damaging it whilst travelling – then leave it at home and use a CZ engagement ring in its place. You will enjoy your vacation more by not having to worry able your expensive ring.
Major advancements in the production of cubic zirconia and manufactured (so called, lab created) diamonds have made diamond alternatives more desirable than ever. This can also be likened to the history of the pearl.
For many years, pearls were considered to be a highly rare and desirable commodity. However, once the process of creating cultured pearls was perfected, the value of ‘natural pearls’ immediately decreased. While natural diamond today is still relatively rare, synthetic diamond will replace it.
Synthetic Diamond
History is about to repeat itself with the advent of synthetic diamond. A synthetic diamond, also known as a man-made diamond, is created in a lab. The diamond is often described as a complete copy of a natural diamond. This is because the same methods and procedures were used to recreate the synthetic diamond.
The only remarkable difference between the two is that natural diamonds are actually more than 3.3 billion years old, making the gemstone extremely special and one of a kind.
Well not quite, there is another remarkable difference. De Beers mentioned above are in a position to sell synthetic diamond for a tenth of the price of natural diamond.
Until about five years ago, diamonds produced from carbon using complex technology had largely been shunned by jewellers. Jeweller treated it as a fringe product, even though they have been used in industry for decades.
Nonetheless, man-made gem-quality diamonds have enjoyed growing sales from millennials. Millennials are attracted by the prospect of cheaper stones that are guaranteed to be conflict-free.
Don’t Start Your Marriage Off in Debt
Oddly enough, money problems are one of the leading reasons that marriages go awry. Because diamonds are so expensive, this can mean adding a potential strain to your marriage even before it’s begun.
If you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, consider the benefits of saving the thousands of dollars normally associated with an engagement ring. Consider instead Cheap engagement rings under $100 as a temporary measure. This can help you put your best foot forward in your new life together.
Most People Can’t Tell the Difference
When answering the question of what is cubic zirconia we should point out that a high-quality cubic zirconia ring isn’t something that can be easily spotted. Unless your friends and family are in jewellery or gemmology industry chances are that no one will know unless you decide to tell them.
Your friends would need to inspect the ring with a jeweller’s loop. Even then, its unlikely they will comprehend what they are seeing. So the bottom line is most won’t know the difference unless you decide to discuss it with them.
Want to know a secret? Even wealthy people often choose CZ. Often the flashy rings you see worn by wealthy wives are cubic zirconia. This is a common choice for people who enjoy large rings but don’t want to worry about having their jewelry stolen.
Even the rich and famous aren’t exempt from becoming targets of theft.
PHOTO 3: What is cubic zirconia and is it a good choice for engagement rings? CZ is an affordable alternative to traditional diamond or gemstone engagement rings. CZ can be a great choice, especially for placeholder or temporary engagement rings. Seen above is a princess cut simulated diamond ring using CZ from Luxuria® Diamonds.
Examining Your Engagement Ring Options
When answering the question of what is cubic zirconia we note that CZ is an affordable alternative to traditional diamond. The sparkle and shine of a cubic zirconia stone mimic that of a diamond, and to the untrained eye, it looks incredibly similar.
Cubic zirconia is available in all of the beautiful cuts and shapes that you may have only associated with its overpriced competitor. When picking a ring, you’ll want to ensure that it represents your partner’s personal style.
If your partner has classic taste, you may choose to go with a timeless single stone solitaire design. If your partner has more of an edgy style, you may want to consider a more modern design.
CZ is also available in combination with coloured semi-precious gemstones and / or birthstones. If your beloved has a bright and colourful side, you may believe that these great styles better express your love for your partner. Elle, a worldwide lifestyle magazine of French origin that focuses on fashion, recently reported that colourful birthstone engagement rings are 2019’s breakout wedding trend.
Elle, a worldwide lifestyle magazine of French origin that focuses on fashion, recently reported that colourful birthstone engagement rings are a breakout wedding trend.
With so many options available, it’s hard to rationalize why anyone would choose to overpay for an engagement ring.
What is CZ & Why It’s Good Choice for Your Engagement Ring?
In this blog we have answered the question of what is cubic zirconia? We have also discussed how cubic zirconia differs from diamond. Finally, we asked the question – Is cubic zirconia a good choice for engagement rings?
Cubic zirconia is classified as a diamond simulant – a stone that looks similar to natural diamonds but is made of different material.
Like diamond, CZ is naturally colorless. In fact, most natural diamonds have a faint yellow or brown tint. In contrast cubic zirconia is completely clear, comparable to a D color rating. Under natural light, diamonds give off white light. Cubic zirconia will show more fire. Both effects are beautiful and depend on personal preference.
Everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to engagement rings. CZ is the best option if you’re on a very strict budget. Cubic zirconia is a good choice for engagement rings if you think your taste will change over time. Cubic zirconia is also a popular choice for travel rings. If you have a diamond engagement ring and want to leave it at home while you’re on vacation, at the beach or pool, or doing outdoor activities like hiking or skiing, you should consider a cubic zirconia ring. No one will be able to tell the difference! You won’t have to worry about your real ring getting damaged, lost, or stolen.
So take the pressure of overpriced engagement rings out of the picture and consider the flawless cubic zirconia options available. For more information and a host of beautiful engagement rings perfect for your partner check out our diamond simulant rings page.
Want to learn more?
Check out our blog on cubic zirconia rings that look real.
View our 5-Step guide on Doing Cubic Zirconia Engagement Rings The Right Way.
Looking for Inexpensive engagement rings? Check out this blog to read why cheap engagement rings are growing in popularity.
We also welcome any comments you have on the topics of what is cz, how cubic zirconia differs from diamond and is cubic zirconia a good choice for engagement rings? Please use the reply box below.
