CZ Sterling Silver Jewelry Shopper

Almost Diamonds makes a great point about cluster rings, a very popular jewelry design featuring a number of cubic zirconia or other gemstones “clustered” together.  Oftentimes, these rings will use a lower quality diamond, meaning that many of the stones don’t have the clarity you would expect from diamonds.  Cubic zirconia cluster rings shine and twinkle with maximum clarity.

“If you were to search for a cluster ring, cluster earring or even the classic tennis bracelet, it may be difficult to find one that features multiple diamonds that are of the same quality and clarity. For instance, one may look good and the next may have visible inclusions or even appear cloudy. With a cubic zirconia cluster ring, cubic zirconia stud earrings or cz tennis bracelet, you will have a flawless, eyeclean look in every single stone.”

The Benefits of Wearing Cubic Zirconia Jewelry « AlmostDiamonds.com Reviews and Articles.

We’ve covered this a bit in the past, but sometimes we see the terms cubic zirconia and moissanite used interchangeably and wanted to list out some differences in terms of look and price.  Both are synthetic when used in jewelry.  While moissanite tends to cost more, it lacks the whiteness and clarity of cubic zirconia and is more easily distinguishable from real diamonds.  Moissanite is, however, harder than cubic zirconia, contributing to its greater luster.  Depending on the characteristics that are important to you (e.g. clarity vs. fire), you may decide to purchase one over the other.

Here are a few more differences:

“HARDNESS: Diamond is the hardest gemstone, measuring 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Although Cubic Zirconia is considered a hard stone (8.5), Moissanite is a very hard stone (9.25). The higher on the hardness scale, the better the luster and the lower likelihood of surface scratches.

REFRACTIVE INDEX (BRILLIANCE): Diamonds and Cubic Zirconia are both singly refractive. Moissanite is highly doubly refractive, which results in a rather noticeable “doubling” of facets when viewed visually. While CZ is so visually close to a diamond as to be difficult to see a difference, this is the most important identifying characteristic for separating Moissanite from a diamond or Cubic Zirconia.

DISPERSION (FIRE): Moissanite has nearly 2-1/2 times the fire of a diamond – which is excessive to some but more beautiful to others. Cubic Zirconia has slightly more fire than a diamond, but the difference is almost visually indistinguishable.”

Cubic Zirconia – Moissanite Wedding Rings.

We try to provide you with as much information as possible if you’re on the fence between buying cubic zirconia and diamond jewelry.  We mention quite a bit how human rights violations, on top of so many other factors, are driving people to opt for flawless cubic zirconia jewelry, rather than supporting violent governments.

We wanted to share some information from Global Witness and Amnesty International about the state of blood diamonds and the diamond industry.

Here’s an excerpt:

• Diamond-fuelled wars have killed over 4 mil lion people, destroyed countries, and displaced millions more.

• Blood diamonds are not just a problem of the past – blood diamonds from West Africa are currently reaching international markets. The UN recently reported $23 mil lion in blood diamonds from the Ivory Coast are being smuggled into international diamond markets. Diamonds have fuelled the conflict in the Congo (DRC), the bloodiest war since WWII; armed violence and human rights abuses continue over control of diamonds mines in eastern Congo. As the brutal conflict in Sierra Leone shows, even a small amount of conflict diamonds can wreak enormous havoc in a country.

Blood Diamond Action – brought to you by Global Witness and Amnesty International.

We found this very helpful table that compares cubic zirconia and diamonds in an impartial way.  (Newsflash: We ourselves are naturally not always impartial). If you’re unsure which one you’d like to purchase, or are just curious about the properties of each gemstone, it’s an interesting read.

Educating yourself before making a jewelry purchase is invaluable in helping you identify your priorities.   For example, if cost is your main issue, a cubic zirconia may be the best option for you.   Or, if you want something large, clear and flawless, a cubic zirconia may also be a better choice than a diamond.

On the other hand, many people are drawn to the fact that diamonds are a natural substance, unlike cubic zirconia which is synthetic.

Here’s a brief excerpt about cubic zirconia and diamond color:

“Diamonds are generally found with a yellow or brown tinge in them, this is due to the nitrogen found in them. The color depends on the concentration of nitrogen or other such subsitutes in the diamond. The really colorless diamonds are the ones which are free of any flaws and usually rare.Cubic Zirconia on the other hand being a synthesised product, can be made absolutely colorless. It can be given the grade ‘D’ which is the best quality diamond on the diamonds color grading scale. “

Cubic Zirconia vs Diamond – Difference and Comparison – Diffen.

There are many reasons that cubic zirconia jewelry has become so popular.  Its beauty, affordability, and durability has made cubic zirconia gemstones a billion dollar industry that continues to grow exponentially.  It is becoming a real threat to the diamond industry.

Diamond giant De Beers is losing diamond market share, but is trying to keep prices high.  They have lobbied courts to have stones like cubic zirconia labeled as “artificial diamonds.”  (Not the most favorable description). However, “cultured” diamonds (like cultured pearls) is the term being used for CZ instead.

This article discusses the divide between the economic realities and those involved in the diamond industry.  Here’s why De Beers is worried:

“Indians believe that a flawed diamond can wreck a person’s life. But it’s a flawless gem that has De Beers, the world’s largest diamond company, worried. De Beers, which at one time controlled more than 96% of the global supply of diamond roughs — stones before they are cut and polished — saw its share slip to 70% last year, according to a KPMG India report.

This was primarily because Australia’s Argyle and Russia began selling rough diamonds independently, instead of routing them through De Beers’ Central Selling Organisation. Another reason was a steady rise in popularity of laboratory-grown cultured diamonds, which are different from CZ (carbonate zirconium) and other varieties of artificial stones commonly referred to as American diamonds.”

Cultured diamonds may overwhelm the real ones – dnaindia.com.