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Is cubic zirconia a mineral or not? 0

Cubic Zirconia— also commonly known as “CZ” though not frequently at this website, where we like to give a little more respect than lazily abbreviating everything— is often thought to be a mineral, since gemstones like diamonds are usually minerals.

Is cubic zirconia in fact a mineral?

The short answer is “yes and no”. A mineral is defined as occurring naturally. Therefore, most cubic zirconia stones used in jewelry are fabricated in a lab environment and are not classified as minerals. As man-made constructs of zirconium oxide created in high temperatures they simply cannot be 'natural'.

However, there IS a cubic zirconia mineral and it was first discovered in the 1950s.

What gets sold most often in cubic zirconia jewelry, though, is a man-made gemstone manufactured using a process first discovered by Russian scientists in the late 1970s.

However, as a diamond simulant and alternative cubic zirconia gemstones are without peer in our opinion, and for your money you simply can’t beat purchasing cubic zirconia.

That was today’s science lesson!

Remember…if you can’t tell the difference, why pay the difference?

CubicZirconia.com

P.S. If you have any questions about cubic zirconia that you want answered immediately and that we can use to educate others in a future blog post like this one just contact us and let us know!

Cubic Zirconia Size Chart by Carat Weight 0

Measuring Cubic Zirconia Loose Stones: CZ size comparison to diamonds

When people refer to the size of a diamond, they’re not actually talking about the size dimensions of the stone. The size of a diamond is measured in its weight. The word "carat" comes from the "carob" seed, the original unit of measure for diamond traders. Carat is the unit of mass for gemstones and is used as a way to compare one stone to another. (Note: Carat weight is unrelated to the similar sounding karat, which refers to gold's purity).

Whether you're shopping for finished jewelry set with CZ or loose cubic zirconia stones, it's important to know how these stones are actually measured.

When comparing diamonds and Cubic Zirconia, you first must understand that the weight of a diamond is different from the weight of a CZ because of differences in density.  In fact, Cubic Zirconia are 1.7 times denser than a diamond. Since the carat weight of a gemstone is a function of its weight, the dimensions of a 1 carat real-weight diamond will not be the same as the dimensions of a 1 carat real-weight Cubic Zirconia. If using real-weight measures, a Cubic Zirconia stone that matched the weight of a 1 carat diamond would be smaller, more dense, and heavier.

So how does a 1 carat diamond compare to a Cubic Zirconia stone?  To account for the weight difference and to make life a little easier, Cubic Zirconia are measured in millimeters which references the same dimensions as a diamond carat equivalent.  We take the dimensions of an absolutely perfect diamond, measure its height and width, and voila – that’s the dimensions we use for an equivalent Cubic Zirconia. For example, a perfect Round Cut one-carat diamond is comparable to a 6.5 mm Round Cut Cubic Zirconia.  In other words, a 1 carat Round Cut Cubic Zirconia diamond equivalent is 6.5 mm.

When you’re shopping for jewelry on CubicZirconia.com, know that we use carat-equivalent sizes.  That means that when you buy a 2 carat Cubic Zirconia pendant, we match up the size dimensions for a perfect 2 carat diamond and make sure you get a match in size: that would be an 8.00 mm CZ stone, or a two-carat diamond equivalent. 

If you need help figuring out what size your stone is, measure the stone using the instructions below and use our comparison chart to determine the size.

The right center stone shape for an engagement ring can flatter the wearer's finger and cause even the simplest of ring designs to stand out, much in the same manner as the right hairstyle does for a person's face. 

Not sure which center stone shape is right for you/her? Check out our article Which Center Stone Shape Is Best For Me/Her? 

Not sure which center stone size is right for you/her? Check out our article Which Center Stone Size Is Best For Me/Her?

Share your Cubic Zirconia story and get 13% off your entire order! 0

**** This Promotion Has Now Ended and the Code will No Longer Be Valid ****

Thank you for all the submissions and stories!

For any current specials, call us 10am-9pm EST U.S. toll-free (888) 355-2484

 New 2013 Discount offer: MYCZSTORY * is an exclusive coupon on CubicZirconia.com

 Enter the promo code at check-out for a 13% discount on all products site wide.  

 To be eligible for this discount, we only ask that you share your Cubic Zirconia story and allow us to share it with other customers on CubicZirconia.com!

*Offer limited to the first 5,000 customers in 2013 who agree to provide a short story after purchase stating "I chose Cubic Zirconia instead of diamond because.,.."

It's not being cheap - it's being practical (a story) 0

"I am popping the question but I am NOT giving her a diamond engagement ring."

This was what was going on in my head as I was getting ready for the big date that night.

I was pretty sure she was going to say yes.

In fact, we’ve talked about getting married so many times, we both felt the entire thing was just going to be a formality. After all, we’ve been living together for almost 4 years now.

But somehow, I still felt a mixture of nervousness, excitement and anxiety building up inside me at the thought of finally making the “formality” a reality.

I looked once again at the cubic zirconia engagement ring I was planning on giving her tonight. 

Looking at the size, color and exquisite detail of the CZ stone, I knew if it were a real diamond, I would never have afforded it even if I worked 5 straight years with no days off.

I knew too that as soon as she sees it, she’d most probably know it isn’t a genuine diamond. She knows I won’t be able to afford a real diamond engagement ring looking exactly like this.

We both knew each other so well.

That’s why I’m bringing my other surprise with me right inside my breast pocket.

The deed of sale on a beautiful property I just put a downpayment on.

I’m sure, on a scale of one to ten, her level of excitement at me popping the question would probably be on the high five or low six – as I said, getting married for the both of us would just be more of a formality.

But I’m pretty sure she’ll be blown away by the fact that I may have scrimped on the ring, but I made sure I put my money on the right investment.

After all, she appreciates wise and mature decisions.

Why would I buy a real diamond and suffer getting though the payments for the next 3 to 5 years while, at the same time, trying to come up with the rent, the car payments, utility bills and making sure the fridge and pantry are stocked…

…when I can just go for the CZ ring right now, invest my money on a house we’re both going to live in along with the family we’ll surely want to build?

It’s not being cheap – it’s being practical.

Good thing, I’m one of the lucky guys who has found a woman who values prudence over anything that glitters and sparkles.

Anyway, no one at the restaurant would probably come up to us and say, “Hey, is that a real diamond?” while I was proposing, right?

Most of them will probably think, “Did you see the size of that diamond?” or “Look at that gorgeous ring!” or something to that effect.

Maybe, some will speculate and say, “Nah, that’s a fake.” But who cares. They won’t come up to us and say that out loud.

After all, even if that happened, I can whip out the papers for the house and say, “But this house I just bought for her isn’t fake.” And the discussion ends right there.

What really matters is what the lady right across from me will think.

I’m sure she’ll see through the cubic zirconia ring and right through my true intentions – to spend my life with her with a promise that I will always be someone she can depend on to make the wise decisions.

- The preceding account was written by a CubicZirconia.com freelancer employed by the company to assist with graphic design, website design, and product photography.

Cubic Zirconia 101: Properties of CZ 0

Color it blue, red, yellow, yellow, white, or whatever tint you want. Looking at it, with the untrained eye, you’ll mistake it as a diamond, a natural gem mined from the earth.

But using a jeweler’s loupe, this flawless, crystal-like piece of stone is not a diamond but a mimic of which it is called cubic zirconia or 'CZ' as it is popularly known. 

History: Cubic Zirconia was discovered in the 18th century. It was later in the Soviet that scientists and mineralogists alike studied and perfected the technique wherein the gemstone could reach its maximum crystalline form. This milestone was known to the public in 1973 and commercial production began in the 70’s. And by the 1980’s mass production has reached its peak and laboratories produced over 50 million carats of this beautiful, sparkling artificial gemstone.

Physical Attributes: The quality of this gemstone depends on the ingredients used and the right proportion of formula and its purity. As a diamond stimulant, it sparkles brighter than crystal and is remarkably harder than most gems. It weighs 65% more than a diamond does (which accounts for the diamond-carat equivalents our company uses to sell cubic zirconia jewelry in diamond-traditional sizes). 

CZ also has a high rate of dispersion. That is, when light shines on it, the stone brilliantly sparkles with different colors refracted on its structure. It can also be made in any color, though clear/white is most popular. Because of its natural form, low cost, durability and its close visual likeness to diamonds Cubic Zirconia has become and remained the primary diamond competitor. 

Advantages and Disadvantages: Ever since its availability in the market, one cannot miss it from any jewelry stand or trinket shop. What with its low price point and it looks great, too.

From rings to earrings, to bracelets to necklaces, to pendants, one can wear it anywhere, anytime without worrying about getting it lost or damaged. It can also be adjusted or prepared to suit one’s taste or lifestyle. It can be set in silver sterling and gold just like diamonds.

This gemstone requires low maintenance, too. Just clean it like one would any other gem and that’s it.

Bear in mind though, that cubic zirconia stones are more prone to scratches so the use of a soft cloth is required and handling it gently also helps.

This cubic zirconia stone too, is brittle and has less resistance than harder diamonds to breakage from falls or impacts. 

We at CubicZirconia.com mitigate any fear of scratching by offering a lifetime warranty you can read about on our website. So we've got your back! 

Because these gemstones can be produced in as much quantity as production and resources may allow unlike real diamonds which take millions of years to form, the inherent value of diamonds (which have limited quantity) will always be more than its visual counterpart cubic zirconia.  

Still, when you want to be fashionable and cannot afford to buy and maintain high-end baubles-- or you have your eye to saving money you can invest on other uses like a wedding, honey-moon, or other special treat...you'll be in great company with millions of others if you choose cubic zirconia over diamonds. 

From a mineralogical standpoint, even the highest-quality artificially-produced CZ is not a genuine gemstone like diamonds are classified. From a jewelry standpoint, however, as we say...if you can't TELL the difference...why PAY the difference?

Go here to check out our full collection of CubicZirconia.com cubic zirconia in various shapes and sizes.

Unsure about which stone shape suits you/her? Read our article Which Center Stone Shape Is Best For You/Her?

Unsure about which stone size suits you/her? Read our article Which Center Stone Size Is Best For You/Her?

Interested in colored cubic zirconia stones? Find out more here.