CZ Cubic Zirconia Sterling Silver Jewelry

At Fine Living, they made a great point about buying cubic zirconia jewelry from reliable online sellers.  With the amount of research you’re able to do before making a cz or other jewelry purchase, there’s no reason you can’t find exactly what you want.  Authenticity with cubic zirconia gemstones is not as much of an issue as it is with diamonds, as there isn’t a popular cz counterfeit gemstone market.   However, it’s still critical that you purchase your jewelry from a reputable seller to ensure the quality of the precious metals.    As cz rings and other jewelry are made in extremely high end settings including sterling silver, platinum and 18k gold, quality materials are still essential.

The article warns:

“Brass CZ jewelry is pushed as gold, steel as sterling silver and cattle bones often fill-in for ivory on the spurious websites selling online. So when you logon with an intention to buy CZ or any kind of jewelry for that matter, try to do so from reliable and credible sites like EBAY, Amazon, etc. or do so from a seller of international repute. It is a good idea to go through the feedbacks, reviews and ratings that the buyers of an online seller post about him.”

How to choose a reliable online seller of CZ jewelry – Fine Living.

What timing!  After yesterday’s post about cubic zirconia beads for jewelry making, we received a catalogue in the mail from Fire Mountain Gems, one of the largest, friendliest and most well-regarded bead and gemstone companies we know.  This got us looking at the cubic zirconia beads currently available as inspiration for jewelry making, or if you prefer, jewelry buying.

Looking for some reasonably priced cubic zirconia options?  You can buy a flawless, brilliant cut colored cz pendant to wear on an existing chain for just a few dollars.  (And with bead shopping, the more you buy, the less each unit will cost!).  Another example would be cubic zirconia studs that come with a small loop on the bottom.  These are sold in packages of two. You can attach any type of charm or bead to the bottom of the cz stone, and you’ll have a fabulous pair of danging earrings.  For under fifteen dollars per bracelet, you can buy chains that feature faceted gemstones as part of its design.  Then, consider adding various beads and charms to the bracelet for an extra sparkly and fun holiday look.

One thing we haven’t been discussing is the prevalence of cubic zirconia beads for jewelry making.  Cubic zirconia is not just for tennis bracelets and engagement rings! We do a fair amount of beading and have seen bead websites and catalogues exploding with every shape and color of cubic zirconia bead imaginable.  Depending on where you shop, smaller cubic zirconia beads can be found for as little as fifty cents each but rise considerably from there depending on size and shape.  You’ll find faceted hearts, rondelles, briolettes, marquise and more cz shapes in stunning colors.

A Bead A Day blogs about gorgeous beads and jewelry findings, as well as featuring some fabulous and crafty designers.  We love how she appreciates and shares the beauty of these small, overlooked objects.  She just posted a lovely ruby-colored cubic zirconia bead to be included in one of her designs.

A Bead a Day describes:

“These CZ teardrops are actually intended to be used as pendants which meant they were a little more expensive than I would have expected to pay for just the beads, BUT sometimes you have to go with the way the wind blows and believe that something even better is in store!”

A Bead A Day: CZ Teardrop Pendant.

We are huge fans of handmade goods superstore Etsy, both for ourselves and gifts.  You can always find something unique, beautifully made and well-priced, whether it’s modern cubic zirconia jewelry, stunning ceramics or a nice felt hat.  We did a quick search on Etsy and came across some fabulous stores selling gorgeous cubic zirconia jewelry.  We’ll be sure to share more in the coming weeks!

South Paw Studios - elegant handmade jewelry from a self-taught Ohio artist.  Gorgeous, modern earrings, necklaces.

Broken Teepee Designs – a Montana-based artist makes dramatic beaded necklaces, bracelets and cubic zirconia earrings.

Los Angeles artist Nicola Yoon makes romantic handmade gemstone jewelry incorporating 24kt gold vermeil.

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.

Pearls are another of today’s biggest jewelry trends.  Whether it’s a single pearl ornamenting a modern-style sterling silver ring, or worn as layered necklaces, we’re seeing pearls (and stunning pearl replicas) in many sizes and colors.

One beautiful way to wear pearls is combined with cubic zirconia.  The smooth, glossy pearl finish beautifully compliments the sparkle of cz.  We’re seeing lots of chandelier earring styles where a cubic zirconia crusted chandelier shape is decorated with pearls in a beautiful and flattering v-shape.

Pearl dangle earrings are also very popular.  At the ear, you may find a cubic zirconia stud followed by a drop chain of sterling silver and cz and finished with a single pearl.

Pearl and cubic zirconia brooches are also a great way to update last year’s coat or sweater and can be a real conversation piece.  You’ll find modern cluster designs and art deco vintage shapes that help bring out the best in your outfit.

I pity jewelry lovers born in May.  That’s because if you want birthstone jewelry, the gemstone for May is emerald.  Emeralds are ridiculously expensive and rare, and not a feasible jewelry option for most people.  Enter cubic zirconia.  The wonderful thing about cubic zirconia is that it comes in every color of the rainbow.   So you’ll find cubic zirconia gemstones that closely resemble emeralds at 1/1,000 the price.  Simulated birthstone jewelry is a very popular line of cubic zirconia, and you’ll find birthstone necklaces, earrings, bracelets for every month of the year.  Now, you don’t need to spend money on rubies in July or sapphires in September to have the gorgeous look of your birthstone.

There are a multitude of fabulous pink products you can buy to support breast cancer research, cubic zirconia jewelry included!  There’s a wide range of prices for this cubic zirconia, crystal and rhinestone jewelry, so show your support!

Marie Claire has a lovely slideshow of the over 150 products available where 50% of the proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  You’ll find a gorgeous necklace by Lark & Lotus featuring pink tournalines and cubic zirconia briolettes on a sterling silver chain.

There is also an adorable Twinkle Faith necklace with pink glass, quartz and Swarovski crystal drops.

You’ll also find the Avon locket, which features a silver tone link chain with embossed pink rhinestones.

Finally, there’s the BNPink bracelet, an extraordinary design made with Swarovski crystal, cultured pearls, Venetian glass, lampwork beads and sterling silver.

Breast Cancer Products – Benefit Breast Cancer – Breast Cancer Awareness – Marie Claire.

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.

Popular Science had this interesting article about the chemical makeup of diamonds versus cubic zirconia stones.  It addresses some common myths about diamonds that could make you find cubic zirconia jewelry even more appealing.

“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.