CZ Cubic Zirconia Sterling Silver Jewelry

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.

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.

While these distinguishing factors mostly are invisible to the untrained eye, keep these concepts in mind when making a decision between cz and diamonds.  It’s nearly impossible to distinguish cz and diamonds based on looks alone.  We naturally think that cubic zirconia makes a fabulous choice for a special or everyday jewelry pieces.   But we want shoppers to be as informed as possible when making these important decisions about gemstones.

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.

Human Rights Watch has raised allegations in Zimbabwe, the source of many diamonds, state that Zimbabwean police and army have forced children and adults to mine diamonds and tortured local villagers to control access.   They are also accused of massacres in these diamond regions.  The government in Zimbabwe denies involvement in conflict diamonds , despite widespread accounts of violence.

If you don’t want to support these terrible practices, consider cubic zirconia jewelry.  CZ is a lovely sparkling stone that comes in every color and shape imaginable.   You’ll get all of the beauty and savings, and a guilt-free conscience.