The Art and Science of Cubic Zirconia

You’ve witnessed the diamond hype, you experienced the diamond hype and you have likely been a part of the diamond hype, but now what? Much like affordable engagement rings tend to include diamond alternatives, such as cz engagement rings, diamond rings in general have more affordable rings, which tends to include silver rings, cz rings and more. You likely have already gone through the process of filtering through countless thousands of cheap rings and perhaps unique engagement rings, as well as affordable wedding rings, and found what is best for you. But when it comes to more affordable necklaces or earrings, few jewelry stores take the time to educate their buyers as to the differences, pros and cons of diamonds versus cubic zirconia. For instance, very few mention the fact that, from the standpoint of crystallography, cubic zirconia is isometric. This is essentially a convoluted way to explain the equal dimensions of the axes of threefold symmetry, which is what renders cubic zirconia refractively similar to the diamond. Another interesting fact is that cz stones are optically flawless and cheap, whereas IF diamonds are rare and extraordinarily expensive. At the same time, although cz stones are refractively similar to diamonds, they are not exactly the same, which renders certain differences in light dispersion – fire and scintillation. In this issue of DT Era we explore cubic zirconia jewelry, referring not only to affordable wedding rings and engagement rings, but also silver rings, necklaces and earrings.

cz engagement ring
cz engagement ring

Sales of cubic zirconia engagement rings have seen exponential growth in the past decade. From a design perspective, the production of cz engagement rings has reached very similar heights to that of their diamond and gemstone engagement ring counterparts. The first cz engagement ring pictured above features an infinity shank in silver tone, cz side stones and a gorgeous halo. The second cz engagement ring presents a beautiful design with blue sapphire cz, a pretty pattern of clear cz and a large cz center stone. Both of these rings are listed under $25, but replace the cz stones with real diamonds and the price will multiply by a factor of ten.

silver ring

silver ring

Moving on to silver rings, cocktail rings featuring cubic zirconia offer similar benefits to cz engagement rings. Remember optically flawless and crystallographically isometric? Same concepts apply to the two silver cz rings pictured above. The first is a gorgeous five-way split sterling silver shank and an asymmetrical arrangement of five cz stones in two prong settings to complete the design. The second is also a sterling silver split shank with a symmetrical dual overlap and a sensational combination of clear and black cubic zirconia stones. These silver rings are truly listed for pennies on the dollar. Can you imagine what they would cost if these cz stones were Internally Flawless diamonds?

silver necklace

silver necklace

Silver necklaces tend to cost more than silver rings and engagement rings, mainly due to the increased amount of silver needed to produce a necklace. Nevertheless, the first silver necklace pictured above features gorgeous black onyx gemstones, with a price well under $100. The second necklace boasts 10mm and 15mm diamond cut links with agate gemstones – a really elegant design, also priced well below $100.

silver earrings

silver earrings

There isn’t much more to add about silver earrings, other than the fact that the benefits of cz stones apply just as much to silver earrings as they do to cz engagement rings, necklaces and more. The round cut silver studs above feature 2 carats in total weight of these gorgeous pink cz stones. The princess cut pink ice studs feature four carats in total weight, and both are priced at around $20, which is made possible exclusively due to the miracle of the optically flawless cubic zirconia art and science.

If you feel as though as you had an epiphany of the benefits of cz jewelry, you are not alone. If you feel as though you have gained some ideas as to which ring, necklace or earrings designs to look out for, this issue of DT Era was well worth it. Either way we hope that this issue has contributed to the never ending endeavor of continuing education of jewelry and diamonds, as well as to people’s abilities to make more informed decisions moving forward.

Categories: Cheap Wedding Rings, CZ Engagement Rings, Silver Jewelry, Unique Engagement Rings

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