subject: The advantages and allure of cubic zirconia jewelry [print this page] The advantages and allure of cubic zirconia jewelry
Fallen in love with the glitter and shimmer of diamonds but cannot afford the hefty price tag that comes with it? Don't worry. You can choose Cubic Zirconia jewelry instead.
There are many advantages in buying Cubic Zircona jewelry. One of the most important strengths of Cubic Zirconia, which is not obvious to the naked eye, is its impressive strength. Cubic Zircona scores approximately 8.5 out of 10 on the Mohs' scale of hardness, which makes this precious stone both strong as well as beautiful. Although Cubic Zirconia jewelry is not as hard as diamond jewelry (diamonds are the hardest substances on Earth and score a perfect 10 out of 1o on the scale of hardness), these crystals too are hard and durable.
Cubic Zircona is synthetic and is formed from the crystallization of Zirconium Dioxide. These crystals are so similar to diamond jewelry that it is extremely difficult to distinguish between the two. Even experienced gemologists may be fooled into mistaking Zirconia for diamonds. Only a detailed inspection helps clear the air.
If you are looking for more spectacular flashes of light, then Cubic Zirconia will not disappoint. Diamond has a dispersion of .04 while Cubic Zirconia has .06. What this means is that diamonds give out brilliant flashes of white light while Cubic Zirconia jewelry gives out colorful flashes of light.
When it comes to flaws and color, diamonds have a natural tendency to flaws as they are natural stones. Some diamonds have lackluster shades, while others may carry the remnants of an original crystal. Virtually flawless, colorless diamonds are almost unheard of. On the other hand, Cubic Zirconia jewelry can boast of being virtually flawless as these are synthetic and manmade. That said, it must be remembered that flaws in most diamonds are so minute that you must magnify the stone 10 times or more to see the flaw.
Although Cubic Zirconia jewelry has a number of advantages, there are certain disadvantages too. The most prominent of the downsides is the fact that unlike diamonds, Cubic Zirconia is not a natural stone. Secondly, Cubic Zirconia is not suitable for daily wear as it is softer than diamonds. Similarly, Zirconia is less heat resistant than diamonds. Since the refractive index of diamonds is higher than that of Cubic Zirconia, diamonds have more brilliance and shine.
