Cubic Zironia Engagement Rings – Fake Diamonds?

Alright, so, yeah, some people snidely refer to Cubic Zirconia Engagement Rings as fake diamonds, but don’t get completely roped into the hype and the name calling.  Don’t you even want to know what this crystal is all about, especially given the lower prices? There is a reason they got so popular in the first place!

CZ (a typical abbreviation for Cubic Zirconia) are indeed considered crystals, or to be more precise, a form of zirconium dioxide.  Now, the crystalline form of cubic zirconia is not usually found in nature, so some scientist or chemist has to go out of their way to heat it and tweak it and make it into a crystal for use in jewelry.  If you are considering purchasing a Cubic Zirconia Engagement Ring for your honey, doing this bit of homework and explaining to her how much work goes into these durable, visually flawless crystals may help to win her over to the more economical side of the fence.

But what is the difference and why are these Diamoniques (a common nickname for Cubic Zirconia) less expensive than other synthetic stones used for jewelry?  Well, Cubic Zironia Engagement Rings are highly refractive, allowing for them to sparkle and shine more than cheap glass and crystal knock-offs.  But, since they are not as dense as diamonds, they sell for a lesser price.

However, if you are interested in the differences – what gemologists and jewelers take note of is that Cubic Zirconia weigh more than diamonds but are not as hard.  Comparing them to other “made” (rather than “mined”) stones, CZ have a more natural shine (more similar to real diamonds), they are harder than other made competitors, they do not have visual imperfections, and they rank higher in their colorless appearance.

One downside that you may run into when you are shopping for a Cubic Zirconia Engagement Ring is that finding a quality piece in the desired setting and cut may be a tad difficult as they are not necessarily readily available in some jewelry stores.  Should this stop you from popping the question or shopping for your sweetheart?  Not at all!

Most importantly, if you are going to go the route of  Cubic Zirconia Engagement Rings, commit. Don’t worry. Be discerning, be careful, and remember all of that science business that may get her to appreciate CZ just as much as you, and many others do.