JewelrySoup: Cubic Zirconia Jewelry, Difference Between A Real Diamond And Cubic Zirconia

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Question: How do you tell the difference between a real diamond and cubic zirconia?

Answer: If it's a really good cubic, a layman can't tell. ...

A cubic zirconia is not a synthetic diamond but it is a simulant. Simulants are stones that are made to physically look like a certain stone but isn't in composition, structure or form. Cubic zirconia is so optically close to diamond that only a trained eye can easily differentiate the two. Following are the key features of cubic zirconia which distinguish it from diamond:
1. Dispersion: With a dispersive power greater than diamond the more prismatic fire of cubic zirconia can be seen by even an untrained eye.

2. Hardness, Cubic zirconia has an 8.5 to 8.9 on the Mohs' hardness scale vs. a rating of 10 for diamonds.

3. Specific gravity: Cubic zirconia crystals are heavyweights in comparison to diamonds. A cubic zirconia will weigh about 1.7 times more than a diamond of equivalent size. CZ gems will be heavier for the same size as a diamond

4. Flaws: Contemporary production of cubic zirconia is virtually flawless, whereas most diamonds have some sort of defect, be it a feather, included crystal, or perhaps a remnant of an original crystal face (e.g. trigons).

5. Refractive index: Cubic zirconia has a refractive index of 2.176, compared to a diamond's 2.417. CZs have substantially more fire than diamonds, and the flashes you get from the pavilion when you rock the gem, will be orange, while with diamonds they will be orange and blue.

6. Cut: Under close inspection with a loupe, the facet shapes of some cubic zirconias appear different from diamonds. Polish marks on diamonds run per facet in different directions, while on CZ they usually run all in same direction.

7. Color: Only the rarest of diamonds are truly colorless, most having a tinge of yellow or brown to some extent. By comparison, cubic zirconia can be made in most cases entirely colorless: equivalent to a perfect "D" on diamond's color grading scale.

8. Thermal conductivity: Cubic zirconias are thermal insulators while diamonds are among the most efficient thermal conductors, exceeding copper.

9. When you put a CZ and a diamond on paper with text, with the table on the paper, you will see that a well cut diamond does not make you see any of the text below, while the CZ a little bit.
I hope this informnation will help one to know the difference between diamond and cubic zirconia.

Question: What is a good website to buy cubic zirconia rings from?

I have purchased a cubic zirconia wedding set (unfortunatly I am not in a finincial situation to drop a few k or even hundred on a nice ring:not yet)from the website LIMOGESjewelry.com and it lasted for about 1 year. then the finish started to peel off. I called the company and they replaced it. Now the new one less than a month old is already starting to peel. Does anyone know of a place to get a ring that looks great and real and wont break or peel?

Answer: http://www.czjewels.com/

http://www.czjewels.com/

Answer: Be sure that you get sterling silver and you won't have ...

Be sure that you get sterling silver and you won't have the peeling problem. T. J. Max--they always have a great selection at moderate prices http://www.evesaddiction.com/items_171__Engagement_Rings.html

Question: What size CT. Diamond is equal to a 5mm Cubic Zirconia?

I just got my ears pierced and put 5mm square Cubic Zirconias in my ears but I want to get real diamonds

Answer: IM NOT SURE ASK A JEWELER

IM NOT SURE ASK A JEWELER

Answer: Diamonds go by weight, so weigh the earing

Diamonds go by weight, so weigh the earing

Answer: 0.75 carat square diamond

0.75 carat square diamond

Answer: 5mm cubic zirconia is about 1/2 carat in natural diamond. ...

5mm cubic zirconia is about 1/2 carat in natural diamond. For more info on mm to carat conversion, check out: http://www.almostdiamonds.com/faq.php?cID=7

Question: What are the problems with cubic zirconia jewelery?

Are there any long term problems that should prevent someone from purchasing cubic zirconia jewlery, if this jewlery is intended to last quite a while? Other than the typical resale value, does a cubic zirconium pose any other problems? Would the wear and tear be any harder on it than on a diamond (i.e. would it break or become damaged more easily)? Not to sound catty, but I don't answers telling me that the gemstone type is cheap - obviously I already know that, since I mentioned it in my question. I need to know whether or not there are any other reasons that one should not purchase a cubic zirconia. Thank you to all those providing helpful answers. :)

Answer: the problem is that they are fake diamonds. they are cheap ...

the problem is that they are fake diamonds. they are cheap and no one wants to receive them as a gift. give me the real thing...

Answer: It is softer than a diamond and therefore more likely to ...

It is softer than a diamond and therefore more likely to take damage... Also, If you get a CZ in a REALLY nice setting... 99% of people cant tell and it protects the stone.

Answer: the only reason why people dont like them is because they ...

the only reason why people dont like them is because they are not worth a lot of money, and they want to geth "the best" for their partner. im pretty sure they can last long. but even if one did somehow break, their so cheap you can just go out and replace the gem for a few bucks.

Answer: It looks ghey, like you're trying to front like ...

It looks ghey, like you're trying to front like you're loaded with diamond bling, when it's really just cheap stuff. Like driving a benz and pretending it's a Ferrari. That is the main problem.

Answer: one answer says they are fake diamonds. So what! It you ...

one answer says they are fake diamonds. So what! It you want the appearance, quality of a diamond and this is as close as it gets why not use it? diamonds have occlusions or spots of carbon inside them that creates less value CZ is clear

Answer: I think the biggest problem is due to the fact that the ...

I think the biggest problem is due to the fact that the "gem" is fake, the band is also likely of a low quality. This means that the "gem" may not be set correctly so that it would fall out, or the band would oxidize very quickly and loose its color and luster in no time.

Answer: I have a cz (Diamonique) set in 14k gold and NOBODY knows ...

I have a cz (Diamonique) set in 14k gold and NOBODY knows the difference if I don't tell them. My wedding ring diamonds are real, of course, but if you want something bigger to have fun with, I suggest Diamonique (from QVC). I've had mine for almost 10 years and it's as crystal clear as the day I bought it. Just make sure it's set in 14k gold or white gold.

Answer: CZ's have a very similar hardness.. They can be ...

CZ's have a very similar hardness.. They can be coloured to appear as diamonds (slight yellow tinge) The only way to distinguish between a good CZ and diamond is via thermal analysis.. Not even jewellers can tell the difference by eye.. I assure you some people reading this question that think they own diamonds do in fact have CZ's.. If a price tag makes you feel better about your 'diamonds' then continue to pay for the ridiculous margins jewelers make from them.. Diamonds are not rare, there supply is artificially limited to maintain demands and high prices.

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