Most likely, you walked past lovers rings shop that offered racks filled with colorless, sparkling crystal earrings, bracelets, and rings. It was obvious that these weren't real diamonds, just by looking at the price tag. Why do they look so real? Why were they so inexpensive?

This man-made gemstone matching jewelry may be unfamiliar to many because it has a name that sounds so scientific. You may have worn cubic zirconia jewelry without knowing it if you are a person with a keen eye.

This is the place to be if you are interested in learning more about this stunning stone. In order to answer all of your questions, let's take a deeper look into cubic zirconia. We will discuss its properties, price and durability. Here are some gemology details and an added side of sparkle.

Cubic Zirconia matching couple necklaces, a Diamond-Like Stone at a Fractional Price

What exactly is cubic zirconia, then? In contrast to lab-grown stones, which have a structure identical to that of mined diamonds and are made almost entirely from carbon, cubic zirconia comes from zirconium dioxide.

In the 1970s Russian scientists were the first to discover how to grow cubic Zirconia. In just a few short years, manufacturers from around the globe began to produce their own cubic-zirconia diamonds. They marketed them as a cheaper alternative to more expensive gemstones.

You may be wondering how much more costly authentic diamonds actually are. The answer is: much more expensive. Take a look at the differences in price:

A diamond carat can cost up to $5000.

The price of a cubic zirconia carat is typically less than $30.

You can get a huge discount.

While the price difference might be attractive, buyers need to be aware of the benefits and drawbacks of cubic zirconia as a material. Consider other factors besides cost when purchasing a piece.

Appearance

Durability

Resale value

Let's look at these issues one by one.

Appearance

What exactly is the difference in a cubic zirconia compared to a real diamond? As stated above, cubic Zirconia appears very similar to lab grown and mined diamonds. An untrained person would not be able see the differences. The colorlessness of cubic zirconia may be appealing to customers who prefer a more classic look, and aren't concerned with the shade or tint that trendy stones such as amethysts or rubies offer.

It is true that cubic zirconia, like other diamond replicas, such as moissanite, has a much lower brilliance. Cubic zirconia's refractive index is low. It is less reflective, so it does not have as much "brilliance" when light passes.

This is due to the fact that cubic zirconia's structure separates or disperses the colors quite a lot. The detractors of this stone claim it results in the stone glistening with too much color. This rainbow effect may be beautiful to others.

Durability

The cubic zirconia ring will not shatter if accidentally knocked into a table. However, it is not the most durable option. Moissanite again takes the top spot, with a Mohs Hardness Rating of 9.25 (compared to the 8-8.5 rating for cubic zirconia).

Do you think this really matters? Well, perhaps.

Cubic zirconia will scratch over time if you wear it daily on your hands. It may also become cloudy, or even start to yellow over time. This may not be a big deal to some people because the stones are inexpensive and readily available. Cubic zirconia stone can be changed out easily and are still cheaper than other stones.

Resale Value

Some jewelers advise their customers to purchase rings, bracelets, or other pieces with a high value. There are several factors at play.

Vintage is the age or vintage of a piece.

The metal (such as silver versus gold)

The brand

You might not care about this if the ring is one that you and your partner plan to wear for many years, or even pass along to future generations. When buying jewelry without much emotional attachment, you should look for materials and gemstones that are high in resale.

It is important to be clear on one point: Cubic Zirconia doesn't have a very high resale. It is easily available and has a short lifespan in comparison to many other options.

If the ring's band is of high quality, you may be able extract some value from it. You may want to consider other materials if you are looking for something that will grow or retain value.

Diamond Alternatives: An Overview

As you may know, cubic zirconia belongs to the diamond alternatives category. Although the term "diamond substitutes" is used in many different ways, it can include:

Manmade diamonds

Diamond substitutes, such as Couplesets

Synthetic White Sapphires

Costume jewelry simulants

Let's clarify the facts. A real, pure diamond made of carbon can be regarded as manmade. As a diamond substitute that is not carbon-based can also be considered manmade.