As a result of the new technology developed recently, it’s hard to distinguish the difference between cubic zirconia and real mined diamonds. As a result of it being hard to detect the difference from the naked eye, it has become a very popular alternative around the world. If you talk to a certified jeweler, they would tell you that cubic zirconia is the only realistic alternative to diamonds.
If you were to look at CZ engagement rings, unless you had a trained eye, it would be very difficult for you to tell the difference between a genuine diamond and a CZ alternative. Even some of the well-trained gemologists have great difficulty telling the difference with the naked eye. Under closer inspection a person will find that the CZ will have slightly less color, flashes, sparkle, and brilliance than a real diamond provides. With that being said, slightly less means you would only be able to tell the difference if you had a diamond for variance.
The cubic zirconia was a Russian creation to aid in their space program. They were developed specifically as a diamond replacement to be installed in their optical devices. But the only way they could be used is if they had the hardness, dispersion, and the infraction index closely related to diamond characteristics. What was found is the CZ provided the same effectiveness and efficiency needed for their optical devices, and in a few years the diamond was ruled out altogether with.
Keeping this in mind, cubic zirconia could then be used pretty much anywhere a diamond could be placed in. Since this is true, cubic zirconia can also be in other jewelry pieces, such as necklaces, ear rings, and men’s rings. If you have specialized equipment, you can then tell the difference from a cubic zirconia and a diamond. If you are attempting to precisely identify the differences between the two gems, you will have to obtain this expensive scientific apparatus such as a microscope or a simple method of a jeweler’s loupe to get the exact details.
There are a few things you’ll need to know about diamonds, as well as CZ, in order to effectively gather the information needed to be able to tell the difference. Some of these features are hardness, weight, impurities or defects, color, and light disbursement to name a few. All of these areas are key factors in determining whether or not a CZ is not a diamond and vice versa. Because of the way cubic zirconia is made, it will not be as hard, it will not weigh as much, they will have less impurities than diamonds do, the colors are not as brilliant, and it disperses light in a slightly different way.
Making sure you are educated in all the differences can help you in the final stages of your jewelry purchase. Cubic zirconia has made significant advances recently and even the most picky people will be impressed by what they actually look like, and that you can’t even tell the difference with a naked eye.
Jessica Wozniak is a well-known lecturer and fascinating reporter specializing in the diamond world. Before buying an engagement ring, be sure to check out her fascinating reports on “What “Jewelry Stores” Won’t Tell You About Cubic Zirconia” and “Why DeBeers is Frantic Over Lab Diamonds“.