Cubic zirconia is a clear gem and one which, in its colorless state, provides a wonderful alternative to the diamond. Though much less expensive than a diamond, the brilliance and crystal clarity of the cubic zirconia make it one of today’s most popular stones for creating attractive-yet-inexpensive, diamond-look-alike jewelry. Cubic zirconia is used in rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings, other pieces where you might find diamonds.

Difficult to distinguish
A colorless cubic zirconia is extremely difficult to distinguish from a diamond, and to the untrained eye, appears identical. Its similarity to a “real” diamond is, in fact, so great that even trained gemologists are occasionally fooled. However, cubic zirconia tends to contain more flashes of color, visible when light is reflected from its surface, than the typical diamond. Another distinguishing characteristic is the stones’ weight — cubic zirconia is about 75% heavier than its counterpart. In other words, a one-carat diamond will weigh one carat, while a cubic zirconia stone of the same size will weigh 1.75 carats. These characteristics have little effect, however, on the ability of the average person to distinguish from cubic zirconia from a diamond.

Differences are in the details
On closer inspection by a jeweler, however, certain differences nearly always reveal which stone is which. Being a natural stone, the diamond’s quality, clarity, and inherent flaws vary greatly from one stone to another. And unlike the cubic zirconia, almost every diamond contains a visible, though sometimes subtle, flaw. However, since the diamond’s counterpart is synthetic and therefore lacks the natural impurities found in the diamond, the cubic zirconia is virtually flawless and often far outshines all but the most expensive diamonds in clarity and brilliance.

A little bit of history
One fascinating piece of gemological history states that during the 1930s, a naturally occurring form of cubic zirconia was discovered at one particular site. This natural mineral form of the gemstone has apparently never been found since. You might not know it, but the currently available synthetic version of the cubic zirconia is a crystalline form of a metallic element: zirconium dioxide.

Budget-friendly, beautiful and versatile
Though this very versatile gemstone is available in a variety of attractive colors, used to create a wide spectrum of lovely jewelry pieces, the cubic zirconia is perhaps best loved for its ability to stand in for the diamond under even the closest scrutiny. This is good news for those budget-conscious yet discriminating individuals who desire the look of a diamond without the high price tag. The cubic zirconia’s affordability, combined with its uncanny resemblance to the diamond, will likely always make it one of the most popular gemstones.

» Shop cubic zirconia jewelry