“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.

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 wanted to share some information from Global Witness and Amnesty International about the state of conflict 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 million 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.

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.

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.

“It is bond strength, not hardness, that determines how easily oxygen can attack and burn a material, allowing me to burn a diamond in a pool of liquid oxygen resting in a block of graphite. If your house burns down with the family jewels inside, you can collect the pools of melted gold, but the diamonds will be gone in a puff of CO2. Cheaper, more attractive stones, such as cubic zirconia and synthetic ruby and sapphire, are made of refractory metal oxides that easily withstand the same heat. So it’s actually mall trinkets, not diamonds, that are forever.”

Gone In a Flash: Burning Diamonds With a Torch and Liquid Oxygen | Popular Science.

• CZ is 1.6 times denser and therefore heavier than diamond with a higher specific gravity, 5.6 to 6.0.
• Harder than most natural gems and nearly as hard as diamond’s 10, cz registers 8 on the Mohs scale.
• With a refractive index of 2.17, cz is nearly as refractive as diamond which has an index of 2.42.
• Both cz and diamond exhibit subadamantine luster.
• CZ has an exceptionally high dispersion, 0.060, compared to diamond at 0.044, producing greater prismatic fire.
• Completely colorless AAAAA cubic zirconia, comparable to a perfect D on the diamond color grading scale, can be created in the lab whereas most diamonds contain yellow or brown flaws.

via Distinguishing Cubic Zirconia from Diamonds | The Lab Gem Supplier.

“Cubic Zirconia is an artificial synthetic because the stabilizing oxides used in its manufacture remain in the finished product and its structure is different to the natural material Baddeleyite Zr02. This has been such a good imitation that cubic zirconia can be purchased in both graded colours and clarities. Its refractive index is near enough for the stone to remain quite brilliant when tilted, and although the dispersion is higher than that of diamond, is not so obvious to the layman, and close enough to deceive. The relative density is much higher than diamond and a loose stone will appear to weigh too much.”

Diamond Simulants- Moissanite to Sapphire...

This article also has other interesting information about the production of CZ.  For example, did you know cubic zirconia was invented in 1930?

Here’s an excerpt:

* CZ is 1.6 times denser and therefore heavier than diamond with a higher specific gravity, 5.6 to 6.0.
* Harder than most natural gems and nearly as hard as diamond’s 10, cz registers 8 on the Mohs scale.
* With a refractive index of 2.17, cz is nearly as refractive as diamond which has an index of 2.42.
* Both cz and diamond exhibit subadamantine luster.
* CZ has an exceptionally high dispersion, 0.060, compared to diamond at 0.044, producing greater prismatic fire.
* Completely colorless AAAAA cubic zirconia, comparable to a perfect D on the diamond color grading scale, can be created in the lab whereas most diamonds contain yellow or brown flaws.

Distinguishing Cubic Zirconia from Diamonds | The Lab Gem Supplier.

Jamie Foxx has decided to ditch his traditional diamond earrings to protest the use of conflict diamonds in jewelry.

Foxx reveals, “I now wear cubic zirconia. I used to wear real diamonds, but there’s too much issue about blood diamonds.”

According to the UN, conflict diamonds (or blood diamonds) are “diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.”

Jamie Foxx Fakes Bling To Protest Blood Diamonds // ecorazzi.com :: the latest in green gossip.