Sunday, December 28, 2008

Cubic Zirconia Jewelry - Affordable, Diamond-like Brilliance!

By Ned Dagostino

Cubic zirconia jewelry is very popular because it has all the qualities of a real diamond and yet costs less than half the price of comparable diamond jewelry. There are reservations about using it for fear of being caught wearing a cheap imitation. This social stigma is absolutely uncalled for since cubic zirconia is a semiprecious gemstone itself. That it is affordable should not deter people from wearing it.

Cubic zirconia has almost all the qualities of a diamond, albeit in lesser quantities. For example, the brilliance of a cubic zirconia is slightly less than that of a diamond, the clarity of a cubic zirconia is slightly less than that of a diamond, the durability of a cubic zirconia is moderately less than that of a diamond, and finally, the hardness of a cubic zirconia is moderately less than that of the real gemstone. There is a market for real diamond jewelry and there is a bona fide thriving market for imitation diamond jewelry. So there's nothing "fake" about imitation diamond jewelry. In the imitation diamond jewelry market, cubic zirconia is the most valued gemstone, beating other diamond wannabes hollow.

A diamond is a diamond, no two ways about it. A diamond enjoys a unique intrinsic reputation and nothing can take its place. That said, if you are not primarily interested in its intrinsic worth but are interested in wearing brilliantly beautiful jewelry, then cubic zirconia is the logical choice. All the show of a diamond at less than half the price of a real diamond is a jewelry buyer's dream bargain. The actual price can go far below the half price level, depending on the quality of the cubic zirconia, its size, cut and setting.

If you think that cubic zirconia and genuine diamond can be told apart by the casual onlooker, then think again. Cubic zirconia is slightly more colored than the absolutely transparent diamond, and is slightly less brilliant. Even experts can be taken in by the looks of cubic zirconia. The two gemstones will have to be juxtaposed for the diamond expert to tell the difference visually. More telling is the difference in weight by size, cubic zirconia being somewhat less than twice the weight of a diamond. The other difference is in hardness, with cubic zirconia being more brittle than diamond.

An interesting aside to this story is that cubic zirconia has no flaws, whereas genuine diamond has its share of natural defects, ranging from the noticeable to the negligible.

Cubic zirconia not only looks like diamond it is remarkably similar in all the other important characteristics of diamond. The brilliance is there, the clarity is there, the durability and hardness are all there. The only drawback is that these qualities are less in cubic zirconia. How much less depends on the quality of the cubic zirconia. The difference will be less than noticeable in good quality cubic zirconia, and noticeable in poor quality cubic zirconia. This difference will naturally affect the price of the cubic zirconia. The price of high quality cubic zirconia will be less than half the price of good quality diamond, whereas the price of poor quality cubic zirconia will drop to a tenth of the price of good quality diamond. Cubic zirconia jewelry is ideal for dressing up for all but the most exclusive occasions. This protects your diamond jewelry from accidental loss and even theft.

Cubic zirconia jewelry looks every bit as classic and stylish as diamond jewelry. You can wear it on every occasion that requires jewelry to embellish your outfit. Ear studs, chokers, pendants, broaches - all these items are available using cubic zirconia, and they are matchless in price and exquisite beauty.

You can get any jewelry item made with cubic zirconia, ranging from stunning ear studs to classic chokers. You can craft cubic zirconia the same way as a diamond, giving you the same cut and shape of a diamond. You don't have to compromise on style and aesthetics when you use cubic zirconia. So the next time you go shopping for jewelry take a look at the cubic zirconia jewelry section, and get ready for the envious looks you'll attract at the next show! - 16755

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