The Ultimate Guide to Cubic Zirconia: A Budget-Friendly Alternative to Diamonds

Introduction

Diamonds have long been one of the most popular gemstones for jewelry. They compliment any outfit and add a touch of bling. But diamonds can also be unattainable for many people due to their high cost. Luckily, Cubic Zirconia (CZ for short) is a beautiful alternative to diamonds that offers the same captivation at a lower cost. In this blog post, we will explore everything you need to know about Cubic Zirconia and why it deserves a spot in your jewelry box.

What is Cubic Zirconia?

CZ is a man-made gemstone made of zirconium dioxide that closely resembles a diamond. While it was initially made for commercial purposes, it made its way to the jewelry industry thanks to its sparkle and clarity, and it is currently one of the best diamond alternatives. Even though CZ is often labeled as “fake diamond”, this is certainly not the case. Although they are artificial and look like diamonds, they are nevertheless real stones, just not real diamonds.

Characteristics of Cubic Zirconia vs Diamonds

Diamonds and CZ look so similar that it may be impossible to tell them apart at first glance. CZ possesses similar properties to diamonds, though there are of course differences.

Clarity

Diamonds usually have imperfections that affect their clarity as they are minerals. They may have internal imperfections, known as inclusions, which occur at the time of their geological formation. Or they may have external imperfections, known as blemishes, which are on the surface of the stone and occur at the time of formation of the diamond. On the other hand, as CZ is man-made, it is free of imperfections. This makes CZ a sought-after alternative to diamonds.

Brilliance

CZ has a refractive index of 2.15-2.18, while diamonds have a refractive index of 2.42. So CZ exhibits less brilliance than diamonds, but they nevertheless have a beautiful brilliance and sparkle. While diamonds give off a white light, CZ gives off a colorful light, both of which look beautiful, so it depends on your personal preferences.

Color

Diamonds are graded for their color, whereas CZ is available in a variety of colors. This makes CZ a more versatile stone than diamonds, as its wide range of colors allows more creative and fun designs.

Hardness

One way CZ and diamonds differ is their hardness. Compared to diamonds which rate 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, CZ rates around 8.5. This means that CZ is not as hard as diamonds and may scratch more easily. But that doesn’t mean they are not strong and durable at all, they are just not as strong and durable as diamonds, which is the hardest natural material.

Why You Should Choose Cubic Zirconia

The most significant advantage of CZ is the cost. Compared to diamonds, CZ is much more budget-friendly, making it accessible to a broader range of people. So for those who want the sparkle of diamonds, CZ is a beautiful alternative.

Versatility is another great advantage. As CZ is more affordable than diamonds, you can have multiple pieces of rings, earrings, and pendants! So it’s perfect for those who want different designs for different occasions.

Some also prefer CZ as they are more environmentally friendly and ethical compared to diamonds, making them more attractive to a wide range of people.

Beyond Shine: The Craftsmanship Behind Bayam’s CZ

Just because CZ is manmade, does’t mean it’s always good quality. So you should always buy your CZ jewelry from a reputable seller. At Bayam Jewelry, all our CZ jewelry is made with 10K and 14K gold, and are meticulously handcrafted by skilled artisans using the highest quality materials. So not only are they stylish, but they are also strong and durable. We also offer lifetime warranty for all  our products against defects in material and workmanship.

Maintaining the Shine of Your Cubic Zirconia

Even though CZ jewelry is a captivating accessory that is perfect for any outfit and occasion, they are more prone to losing their shine than diamonds. That is why preserving your CZ is important to ensure that it remains as bright as the first day. You don’t need to do anything over the top to clean it, just mix warm water with a few drops of mild dishwashing detergent and use a soft toothbrush to gently clean your stone. After that, rinse it and allow it to air dry - simple! Even though CZ doesn’t tarnish, you should still avoid harsh chemicals (including perfumes, body lotions etc), avoid contact with water, and heavy work where it might get scratched.

Shine Bright Like a Cubic Zirconia with Bayam Jewelry

There is no doubt that CZ is a beautiful, budget-friendly alternative to diamonds. But in the end, both diamonds and CZ have their advantages and disadvantages, so whether you want diamonds or CZ depends on personal preferences.

At Bayam Jewelry, we offer a variety of CZ Rings, CZ Earrings and CZ Pendants that are guaranteed to compliment any outfit and dazzle those around you. So head over to Bayam Jewelry to explore our CZ Collection, and shine bright like a Cubic Zirconia.

Or if you still prefer to shine bright like a diamond, then take a look at our Diamond Rings, Diamond Earrings, and Diamond Pendants.