Women are sometimes misunderstanding the real value of Cubic Zirconia stones and, as a result, miss great opportunities to add a gorgeous durable piece of jewelry with absolutely adorable glitter to their collection. In this article, we would like to provide some not so obvious facts about Cubic Zirconias and shed the light on these wonderful substitutes for natural diamonds.
- How are Cubic Zirconia crystals created?
- What makes Cubic Zirconia crystals so special?
- Cubic Zirconia crystals compared to Swarovski and diamonds
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How are Cubic Zirconia crystals created?
Cubic Zirconia diamonds are synthetic crystals made in a laboratory. They are significantly cheaper than usual diamonds and are considered far less valuable than their main competitor, diamonds. However, Cubic Zirconia crystals certainly make an appealing glass stone to decorate a nice piece of jewelry for a moderate price.
There is a certain formula for making this type of crystal, just like in any other diamond manufacturing, although the recipe can vary from one laboratory to another. The key element in creating Cubic Zirconias is zirconium oxide powder that is melted with two stabilizers, calcium and magnezium. They are essential for cubic crystals creation.
The temperature during the stage of melting should be strictly 4,982ºF. After cooling, crystals are to be processed further, namely, they are cut and polished. This is how Cubic Zirconias enter this world.
What makes Cubic Zirconia crystals so special?
Since the first creation of Cubic Zirconia crystals, this type of stone has been one of the main competitors for naturally created diamonds and gemstones. But how do Cubic Zirconias withstand such a difficult contest and what makes people opt for synthetic crystals rather than natural ones?
Firstly, high-quality Cubic Zirconia crystals possess a shape extremely close to that of diamonds, which makes it challenging to tell one type of stone from another. Secondly, Cubic Zirconias serve as highly durable and solid crystals that you will enjoy wearing for decades. Last but not least, a notably lower cost makes Cubic Zirconia crystals an immensely appealing option for most customers who are willing to buy a gemstone but can't afford to purchase jewelry with diamonds.
The combination of these factors contributes to the huge success of Cubic Zirconia stones on the market these days. People highly approve of the affordability and ample glow of the crystals, therefore preferring man-made crystals to naturally created ones.
Overall, these are the reasons to opt for Cubic Zirconia crystals:
- Solid and durable stone hard to damage
- close in appearance to natural diamonds
- highly affordable as opposed to gemstones
Cubic Zirconia crystals compared to Swarovski and diamonds
Cubic Zirconia synthesized luxury crystals appear to be a very popular replacement for diamonds when we talk about fashion jewelry. Admittedly, these stones are of the same crystal shape as diamonds and are also of pretty much the same hardness.
If we decide to compare popular Swarovski crystals, diamonds, and Cubic Zirconias on the Mohs scale of hardness then a diamond has a rate of 10 while Cubic Zirconias will be getting about 8.5 and Swarovski crystals about 6-7 points. So is quite clear that Cubic Zirconias are closer to real diamonds relative to their durability than Swarovski crystals. Cubic Zirconias are equal in hardness to emeralds and sapphires.
Both Swarovski crystals and Cubic Zirconia are cut into the best possible shape to make them sparkle and glitter. They could also be colored into any shade with the help of different salt-additions during the manufacturing process. One of the differences between these two beautiful man-made stones is that Cubic Zirconias do not receive the specific coating, the one that helps Swarovski crystals reflect additional light.
Anyway, these two stones are difficult to tell one from another for a person who does not see them daily, but the price level for Cubic Zirconias is slightly higher. As we have mentioned above, Cubic Zirconias look just like diamonds, so the price is really justified. Cubic Zirconias are great for cocktail or even bridal rings and other types of silver gemstone jewelry.
So, what is the essential difference between these two types of man-made crystals often used as real diamond substitutes for staying on a budget? They are both manmade and produced in specific laboratories yet they differ in methods they are created with. The final result is shiny, sparkling, and inevitably eye-catching with both of them.
Frankly, it is more to the personal approach to jewelry when choosing either one of the diamond substitutes. And for those who are still hesitant to get some extra sparkle with a generous faceted Cubic Zirconia ring – the only thing you are going to lose is the wonderful sparkle these gemstones provide your jewelry with.