Shine Bright Like A... Cubic Zirconia? | Diamond vs. CZ

Ever come across “diamond jewelry” that was selling at a bargain price? Most likely, that’s not a real diamond. From afar and with proper lighting, Cubic Zirconia and Diamonds appear very similar, and it is common for Jewelers to use Cubic Zirconia as a Diamond alternative. However, in terms of quality, shine, and structure, these two are drastically different. Continue reading to learn the differences between the two.

What is Cubic Zirconia?

Cubic Zirconia, or sometimes referred to as “CZ”, is a colorless, synthetic gemstone. This lab-created material is the cubic crystalline form of zirconium dioxide (ZrO2). It is created by melting Zirconium Oxide powder with stabilizers like Magnesium and Calcium at extreme high temperatures. When it cools down, crystals form and stabilize. Jewelers then cut and polish these crystals and mimic the look of various diamond cuts.

While the original form is colorless, this gemstone has the capability of combining with other elements to produce different colored gemstones. A popular reference is the 12 birthstones that corresponds to each birth month. Silver N Style sells several name rings that offer a choice for you to choose a birthstone gem into your ring. Check out: LEE130, LEE080, SNS130, and SNS088D.

Here are the list of birthstones:

  • January: Garnet

  • February: Amethyst

  • March: Aquamarine

  • April: Diamond

  • May: Emerald

  • June: Pearl

  • July: Ruby

  • August: Peridot

  • September: Sapphire

  • October: Tourmaline

  • November: Topaz

  • December: Zircon

What is a Diamond?

Diamonds are one of the most sought-after gemstone. Mined Diamonds are made of purely Carbon, and they are the hardest naturally occurring substance known. The word “Diamond” actually comes from the Greek word “Adamas” which means indestructible. However, if the Diamond was placed under an extreme temperature of 1405 degrees Fahrenheit (763 degrees Celsius), the Diamond will vanish.

Diamonds are naturally colorless to black; they can be transparent or opaque. Color is one of the 4 C’s of a Diamond: Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat. We’ll do a deep dive on this subject in a separate blog post.

Unlike CZ’s, Diamonds are extremely durable and do not get easily scratched or chipped. Only a Diamond can damage another Diamond. It also requires little maintenance to keep the shine going.

Silver N Style offers beautiful and elegant Diamond-studded designs. Check them out here: LEE110D, LEE094D, LEE095D, LEE190D, SNS110D, SNS094D, and SNS095D.

So… Cubic Zirconia or Diamond?

  • Price: CZ is more price friendly.

  • Durability: Diamonds are more durable and scratch resistant.

  • Maintenance: Diamonds require less maintenance, while CZ’s can get cloudy and will require regular cleaning

  • Color: CZ’s are always almost colorless (since they are lab-made). You’ll have to pay a lot more for a colorless Diamond. CZ’s also offer a variety of different colored gems.

  • Clarity: CZ’s have best clarity since it they are lab-made. But without proper maintenance, they can become cloudy when oxygen enters. You’ll have to pay a lot more for clarity in Diamonds.

  • Brilliance: Diamonds are known to brilliantly reflect light. CZ’s have a higher level of dispersion which makes a “rainbow effect” when the light hits the gemstone.

  • Weight: CZ’s are heavier as they have higher density

  • Value: While CZ alone does not hold much market value, a Diamond is valuable in itself and can be kept as an investment.

Now that you know the difference… what’s your #SNStyle?

Silver N Style