What are the differences Between Cubic Zirconia and Diamond Jewelry?

Genuine diamond jewelry has always been the most sought after type of jewelry in our culture and considered to be very valuable. The industry marketing of diamond engagement and wedding rings has become so ingrained in our culture that every new bride has come to expect this type of symbol as a way to prove or establish the love and bond that a couple has for one another.  A new and alternative trend that is fast becoming popular and accepted is the purchase of high quality cubic zirconia engagement and wedding rings that are set in precious metals like 14k gold, 18k gold or platinum jewelry mountings.

The stigma once associated with “fake” or “simulated” diamonds has quickly become obsolete.  When high quality cubic zirconia is used with a diamond quality mounting, the end result is virtually undetectable unless you have the stone properly tested by a certified graduate gemologist.  In most  cases, the cubic zirconia can look better than the item made with a real diamond.

High quality cubic zirconia that is manufactured in a laboratory (using the original Russian formula) and then hand cut and hand polished to exact diamond standards is vibrant, colorless, brilliant and appears to be indistinguishable from a real diamond.   Diamonds are natural and mined from the ground and are also hand cut and hand polished to exact gemologic specifications, but obviously will vary in quality due to the fact that they are found in nature and each diamond will have its own unique characteristics. High quality cubic zirconia is denser than a diamond and weighs approximately 80% more than a diamond.  Diamonds are the hardest gemstone in the world and measure a 10 of the Mohs scale of hardness of 1 to 10.  High quality cubic zirconia measures approximately an 8.89 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which is also very hard and durable.  Gemstones like aquamarine, amethyst, citrine, emerald and blue topaz measure between a 6 and 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, most semi-precious stones are considerable softer that an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale .    

When buying cubic Zirconia jewelry or diamond jewelry, you should put a lot of though into the quality of the item you are purchasing, especially if it is cubic zirconia jewelry.  Most of the cubic zirconia jewelry that is available in the marketplace is not the high quality cubic zirconia that is comparable to real diamonds, most cubic zirconia out there on the market is of commercial quality.  Make sure that you purchase from a reputable dealer and a merchant that utilizes the original Russian formula and not a lower quality of cubic zirconia that is hand cut and hand polished to diamond specs.  In addition, high quality cubic zirconia should be able to be worn and treated and cleaned the same way as real diamond jewelry.  Cubic zirconia is a popular alternative to real diamond jewelry as long as the product you purchase is a high quality one.