Cubic zirconia is a popular diamond alternative. It's affordable, conflict-free, and looks just like a real diamond. The drawbacks are the lack of durability-with daily use, it will lose its shine and sparkle within a few years.
CZ Jewelry pieces need to be cleaned regularly to maintain their shine and restore their sparkle over time. First, soak your CZ jewelry in warm water and detergent and let it sit for at least 2 minutes. Then use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a cosmetic brush to scrub the jewelry piece until an even sparkle reappears.
Cubic zirconia gets cloudy over time due to scratches, soap and mineral residue, dirt, and exposure to oxygen in the air and water. You can clean your cubic zirconia with soapy water and a soft cloth. Depending on why your gemstone is cloudy, you may not be able to restore it to its original state.
Since cubic zirconia is not as hard as real diamonds, it's much more susceptible to becoming dull and cloudy over time. While cleaning it will restore its brilliant shine, there are also some things you can do to maintain your jewelry.
Does Cubic Zirconia Shine Like a Diamond? No, cubic zirconia does not shine with the same brilliance as a diamond. Diamonds shine with pure white light, while CZ diamonds give off rainbow colors. They are also more prone to becoming dull and scratched over time, and are thus not the best option for daily wear.
How Long Does Cubic Zirconia Last? Cubic zirconia is considerably less durable than a real diamond. They can be worn daily for between 2 to 3 years and up to 5 years if someone wears them occasionally. As cubic zirconia stones age, they tend to become scratched and cloudy.
To preserve their shine and beauty, cubic zirconia gems should be cleaned monthly. Cleaning is a quick, simple process that involves scrubbing cubic zirconia with mild dish soap and water. When you're done, your jewelry should look shiny and new.
Additionally, cubic zirconia lacks the brilliance and fire that a diamond has, meaning light passes through it differently than it would through a diamond. Cubic zirconia also has a higher dispersion rate, which is why it often gives off that rainbow effect that can make it look cheaper.
Cubic zirconia itself won't tarnish or rust. However, a low-quality setting could potentially tarnish or rust. Low-quality metals are frequently used in cubic zirconia jewelry. Metals that tarnish or rust include copper, silver, bronze, and brass.
Many people sell fake diamonds and cubic zirconia under the guise of having natural diamonds. The giveaway that a stone is not a diamond is its reflection. Diamonds will sparkle and shine, while cubic zirconia will have duller shadings to them.
Water: Some water is OK and can cause no problems in your jewelry after years of exposure. Repeated exposure over time to other water can ruin gold, sterling silver and both real and artificial gemstones (including our 5A cubic zirconia stones).
CZ itself can be cleaned using any method that would be acceptable when caring for diamonds. Even a jewelry brush will not damage the crystals. With this understanding, you should always choose the cleaning method that is suitable for the most delicate material used in the ring.
No. Cubic Zirconia (or CZ) does not have high enough thermal conductivity to pass. So, when you test a CZ with a diamond tester, it will not show as diamond. In fact, distinguishing CZ from diamond is one of the most important uses of thermal conductivity pen testers.
You can have the stone re-cut or reshaped to allow it to fit into a new setting or style if you're having trouble finding a way to make a stone fit your vision for an engagement ring. In other cases you might just need a new band, and sometimes portions of the old band can even be used in the creation of the new one.
Skip the drive, the parking and hassle by cleaning your cubic zirconia or diamond jewelry at home with materials you already have. What you need: Cup of Warm Water. Liquid Window Cleaner (ie Windex)
Cubic zirconia holds no intrinsic value. Yes, jewelry made with this gemstone will still go for a price, but unless it is set within solid gold, it is unlikely to do anything but lose value as time goes on.
In cut stones, cubic zirconia tends to have dull, rounded edges, while diamonds' facets stay sharp. Diamonds rarely show polish marks, but if they do, they will be in different directions on different facets. On the other hand, cubic zirconia will show polishing marks in the same direction on adjoining facets.
Cubic Zirconia Cons:
Softer than diamonds at an 8-8.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness and therefore more prone to damage. Will become cloudy over time because of how easily it is scratched. Needs to be replaced every two years (on average) due to wear and tear.
Unlike cubic zirconia, Swarovski crystals can only be cut in a small number of specific ways and are much softer. They don't reflect the light well and only score a 1.5 rating on the refraction index so there's no comparison with cubic zirconia and Swarovski crystals have indeed fallen out of fashion.
While natural diamonds are not made, but they are found. 2. Cubic zirconia has more brilliant appearance than diamond due to zirconium oxide. Lab grown diamond or real diamond has a 2-5% less brilliance appearance than cubic zirconia.
You will see that the diamond has white or silvery sparkles only. However, cubic zirconia will give out colourful sparkles such as red, yellow or blue. Another important differentiating feature between these two stones is that a diamond possesses sharp facets, whereas a zirconium does not have sharp facets.
Cubic Zirconia (CZ) often shows orange fluorescence but in REVERSE ORDER.
Cubic zirconia has a refractive index of 2.15, giving them plenty of brilliance under lights, but not to the same degree as diamonds and moissanite. Unfortunately, the minimal sparkle makes CZs look glassy. It's especially noticeable if they're sitting next to brilliant diamonds and moissanite.
Identifying Characteristics. The most obvious way to distinguish a zircon presented as a substitute diamond from an actual diamond is by the former's birefringence. Zircon's high birefringence makes this 4.57-ct round brilliant-cut stone appear fuzzy.
Rated from lowest quality grade to highest, A, or 1A, are considered the lowest grade of machine-cut CZ while AAAAA, or 5A, are considered the very best. Rated based upon hardness, 5A cubic zirconia have a hardness of 8.5.