Cubic zirconia jewellery is a popular alternative to authentic gemstones and offer the same dazzling look for a fraction of the cost. However just like real stones, they also vary in terms of quality so it pays to know what characteristics to look for. Some cubic zirconias resemble genuine stones more than others, and using these tips can help make finding a high quality cubic zirconia ring much easier.
If the buyer wants a CZ that looks the most like a real diamond, it's important to look for one which primarily emits white or blue light. Cubic zirconias by default tend to give off flashes of light in the full color spectrum of the rainbow, however there are some which do so less, and these are the ones which are closest in appearance to genuine stones.
Diamonds have grades indicative of their quality and so do CZ's. The lowest grade stones are those designated as "A" and the finest ones are "AAAAA", the former is most commonly used in costume jewellery, but there are some pieces which features higher grade stones as well. The best CZ's are both the hardest and reflect mainly white light, like a diamond.
Clarity is another factor to keep in mind, also the same as when one is purchasing authentic diamonds. This refers to how transparent the stone looks to the eye. The best specimens will allow one to see right into their centers, while those which are lower clarity have a more opaque appearance, which is usually the result of an imperfect manufacturing process. Clear stones are nicer looking and also last longer.
If cubic zirconias are ever described as "synthetic diamonds" by a seller, this is not to be taken as truth. Although both CZ's and synthetic gemstones are man-made, they are not equivalent to each other. A true synthetic gemstone needs to have all the same gemological and physical traits as a diamond, and a CZ has its own traits, so it cannot be accurately referred to as synthetic diamond.
The hardness of the stone matters as well. Gemstone hardness is measured using the Mohs scale, with a diamond exhibiting maximum hardness with a score of 10. AAAA and AAAAA CZ's generally have a rating of about 8.5 which is also quite good, but those poorer grade ones with a rating of 6 are much more likely to get scratched, especially when worn on the hands.
Cubic zirconias are available in a wide selection of rich colors such as blue, purple, green, and red, which can at first glance bear a resemblance to precious gemstones but the key difference is that these CZ pieces which have a lot more sparkle to them. While lovely in their own sense, CZ is not usually as convincing a replica of colored stones as its simulated counterparts.
Keeping these tips in mind can help one find a high quality cubic zirconia ring that meets his or her expectations. Personal taste also has a great deal of influence on this subjective decision, and it's important to always choose a piece of jewellery that appeals enough to the wearer that he or she will not grow tired of it.
If the buyer wants a CZ that looks the most like a real diamond, it's important to look for one which primarily emits white or blue light. Cubic zirconias by default tend to give off flashes of light in the full color spectrum of the rainbow, however there are some which do so less, and these are the ones which are closest in appearance to genuine stones.
Diamonds have grades indicative of their quality and so do CZ's. The lowest grade stones are those designated as "A" and the finest ones are "AAAAA", the former is most commonly used in costume jewellery, but there are some pieces which features higher grade stones as well. The best CZ's are both the hardest and reflect mainly white light, like a diamond.
Clarity is another factor to keep in mind, also the same as when one is purchasing authentic diamonds. This refers to how transparent the stone looks to the eye. The best specimens will allow one to see right into their centers, while those which are lower clarity have a more opaque appearance, which is usually the result of an imperfect manufacturing process. Clear stones are nicer looking and also last longer.
If cubic zirconias are ever described as "synthetic diamonds" by a seller, this is not to be taken as truth. Although both CZ's and synthetic gemstones are man-made, they are not equivalent to each other. A true synthetic gemstone needs to have all the same gemological and physical traits as a diamond, and a CZ has its own traits, so it cannot be accurately referred to as synthetic diamond.
The hardness of the stone matters as well. Gemstone hardness is measured using the Mohs scale, with a diamond exhibiting maximum hardness with a score of 10. AAAA and AAAAA CZ's generally have a rating of about 8.5 which is also quite good, but those poorer grade ones with a rating of 6 are much more likely to get scratched, especially when worn on the hands.
Cubic zirconias are available in a wide selection of rich colors such as blue, purple, green, and red, which can at first glance bear a resemblance to precious gemstones but the key difference is that these CZ pieces which have a lot more sparkle to them. While lovely in their own sense, CZ is not usually as convincing a replica of colored stones as its simulated counterparts.
Keeping these tips in mind can help one find a high quality cubic zirconia ring that meets his or her expectations. Personal taste also has a great deal of influence on this subjective decision, and it's important to always choose a piece of jewellery that appeals enough to the wearer that he or she will not grow tired of it.
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