Cubic zirconia (CZ) is the most convincing diamond simulant that has been produced. It is usually colourless, even though it can be produced in different colours too. It should not be confused with the zircon, which is a naturally occuring stone.
CZ, as it is usually referred on the jewellery websites, has a hardness of 8.5 and it is often flawless. Under magnification it might show some gas bubbles, but it is not that often. It has a high dispersion, around 0.060, exceeding that of the diamond, which is around 0.044. Dispersion is an optical effect of gemstones, when rotating them under the light. Indeed, some colour flashes can be seen, when the light passes through a transparent gemstone. This simulant is created by the skull melting technique, involving the microwave heating of materials which melt and then they recrystallize at very high temperatures. On its colourless form it is produced in very large quantities. It is an inexpensive way of production and this is the main reason why jewellery made with CZ are affordable.
On the first photo below a colourless faceted round cut CZ is displayed. Under the light it shows its dispersion colours, as you can see and if you test it under magnification it contains some gas bubbles, which were created during the production process.
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| Colourless faceted round cut cubic zirconia |
Next, an 1 row necklace in sterling silver with colourless round cut cubic zirconia is shown. This necklace is so sparkling and it is ideal for a night and chic outfit! It is better if you just wear this necklace with no earrings or bracelets. Alternatively you can add a ring with CZ too. It comes from my private collection and it was offered to me as a gift.
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| 1 Row necklace in sterling silver with faceted round cut CZ from private collection |
A beautiful ring with CZ could not be missing! The following ring is a double row ring in sterling silver and rose gold plated with faceted round cut cubic zirconia by Oxette.This ring can be worn all day long and it gives a shining effect, due to the high dispersion of CZ, when you rotate it under the light.
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| Double row ring in sterling silver and rose gold plated with faceted round cut CZ by Oxette |
Last but not least a cross pendant in sterling silver is depicted on the photo below. This pendant has faceted round cut CZ and it is offered as a gift. Cross pendants are usually made with CZ, so that they can be more affordable, than a diamond cross pendant and also because they are very durable, due to CZ's hardness.
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| Cross pendant in sterling silver with faceted round cut CZ from private collection |
For those of you who like sparkliness and shining effect on jewellery, but you cannot afford diamond jewellery, then opt for cubic zirconia jewellery. They will be the best option for you!
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