RSSCubic Zirconia 101
08 Sep 2010 No Comments
in Sales
- What is the difference between Synthetic Precious Stones vs. Simulated Stones?
Synthetic precious stones are produced in laboratories. They have the same physical and chemical characteristics as genuine stones, but because they are man-made, they are not scarce. Their abundance makes them less expensive. All four natural precious stones – diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald – are available in synthetics. A cubic zirconia is a synthetic precious stone.A simulated stone, on the other hand, is made of paste or glass that is colored to look like a natural stone. They have few physical characteristics and no chemical characteristics of either the real or the synthetic precious stones. These simulated stones are usually used in what is known as paste jewelry or costume jewelry.
- Cubic Zirconia
Cubic Zirconia is a good example of a synthetic stone. It is chemically comprised of zirconium oxide and yttrium oxide. Individually, both of these materials are opaque, white ores, but when melted together under appropriate conditions, they combine to form an amazingly brilliant, clear crystal.Producing cubic zirconia is an art in itself. The ores are melted together at extremely high temperatures then carefully cooled to form the flawless crystals that will ultimately be cut like diamonds. Like diamonds, the best cubic zirconias are white and do not lose their color or brilliance. Given proper cleaning, the cubic zirconia will retain its own flawless, radiant beauty permanently, just as the diamond does.
- Cutting the CZ
Cubic zirconia stones are cut in the same fashion as diamonds. The size of the gemstone is usually indicated by its weight in carats, a carat being one-fifth (1/5) of a gram. The stone can also be measured in millimeter diameter size. - Cleaning Cubic Zirconia Jewelry
The best cleaning agent for cubic zirconia is liquid dishwashing detergent (we prefer Ivory); however, other cleaners, preferably those without ammonia, can be used. Natural skin oils, soap, and dirt cause a film that dulls the beauty and luster of the cubic zirconia, just as it dulls real diamonds. - How to Distinguish a Cubic Zirconia from a Diamond
That is the beauty of the synthetic stone. Today’s technology makes it very difficult to distinguish a real diamond from a cubic zirconia. It usually takes a jewelers magnifying glass and a lot of expertise to tell the difference. Remember: These are not simulated diamonds… they are synthetic. They are not copies… they are engineered to be man made replicas of the natural stone.The following tests identify cubic zirconia:
- Cubic zirconia can be identified by a specific gravity test of an unmounted stone.
- Cubic zirconia can be identified by marking ink on the table (flat top) of the stone; on cubic zirconia ink beads up.
- When gem printed, cubic zirconia photographs the reflective and refractive pattern.
- When measured for heat conductivity with a diamond probe, cubic zirconia and other imitations register red on the indicator; diamonds register green.
(Now really, if you have to go through all of that to test for a CZ, doesn’t that tell you the current quality of these synthetic stones?)
- Our Cubic Zirconia Jewelry
Just as diamonds have different grades because they were produced under similar but not exact circumstances, CZ’s also have different grades. We carefully select our stones for their brilliance and beauty. They will not cloud or lose their color and sparkle. We are so sure that you will be impressed with their quality that we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.