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If you’re looking for a lab-made stone for your engagement ring, you’ll find that there are a lot of options to choose from. Lab-grown diamonds, moissanite, synthetic white sapphires, and cubic zirconia are the most popular man-made stones. Cubic zirconia is another man-made stone to consider if you’re on a budget and looking for something conflict-free.
Cubic zirconia is classified as a diamond simulant – a stone that looks similar to natural diamonds, but is made of different material. Natural and lab-grown diamonds are made of carbon, while cubic zirconia is made of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). The cubic part of the name comes from the fact that the stone has a cubic crystalline form. Diamonds also have a cubic crystalline form, so cubic zirconia is a great diamond look alike. The material was originally used by scientists experimenting with different synthetic materials to use in lasers. In the 1970s, scientists in Russia perfected the technique of growing single cubic zirconia crystals. The clear, sparkly crystals were used to make mass-produced jewelry. Today cubic zirconia crystals are a popular diamond dupe in necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings of all kinds.
cubic zirconia
Like diamond, cubic zirconia is naturally colorless. In fact, most natural diamonds have a faint yellow or brown tint. Cubic zirconia is completely clear, comparable to a D color rating. Under natural light, diamonds give off white light. Cubic zirconia will show more fire. Both effects are beautiful and depend on personal preference. Cubic zirconia can also be color treated with different elements, resulting in a rainbow of hues. There are even multi-colored cubic zirconia stones, if you want a truly one-of-a-kind look. These stones are affordable and unique alternatives to fancy colored diamonds or colored gemstones like emerald, ruby and sapphire. Cubic zirconia stones are cut and polished after they’re made. They can be cut into many common diamond shapes, like round, oval, heart, octagon, princess, pear and cushion.
When looking for an engagement ring, it can be tempting to choose a cubic zirconia stone simply based on price. Cubic zirconia rings are far cheaper than diamond rings and at first glance, they look the same. Diamonds are well-known for their hardness, which ranks at 10 on Mohs hardness scale. Diamonds are very durable and won’t scratch from daily use. Cubic zirconia is an 8.5 on the hardness scale.
Cubic zirconia is very inexpensive, since it’s synthetic and mass-produced. A cut and polished one carat cubic zirconia stone will cost $20 and a similar two carat stone will cost about $30. This is far cheaper than diamonds, which start at $1800 for one carat and increase considerably as size goes up. Another thing to watch for is cubic zirconia rating. We assign grades, like A, 1A, AAA, AAAAA or 5A, to their cubic zirconia stones. According to quality gardes, grade AAAAA cubic zirconia stones are the highest quality and grade A are the lowest. However, these grades have no standard across retailers and there are no policies to ensure quality. The most commercial quality is AAA quality with reasonable price and good quality.
Everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to engagement rings. Cubic zirconia is the best option if you’re on a very strict budget. Look for stainless steel or sterling silver cubic zirconia engagement rings. These are beautiful and inexpensive. Cubic zirconia is also a popular choice for travel rings. If you have a diamond engagement ring and want to leave it at home while you’re on vacation, at the beach or pool, or doing outdoor activities like hiking or skiing, consider a cubic zirconia ring. No one will be able to tell the difference! You won’t have to worry about your real ring getting damaged, lost, or stolen. Cubic zirconia is a popular diamond alternative. It’s affordable, conflict-free, and looks just like a real diamond. If you choose a cubic zirconia stone for your engagement ring, make sure to get a quality band made of sterling silver or stainless steel.
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