Cubic zirconia is widely becoming a popular choice among individuals when shopping for engagement rings for their partners. While some people receiving the stone may find it cheap and offensive, most people will be thrilled with the purchase. Commonly referred to as CZ, it is made from synthesized materials, practically flawless, usually colorless, and much less expensive than a real natural diamond. One can rarely distinguish the difference between the two stones.

The main reason people opt for cubic zirconia opposed to a real diamond is usually for the financial aspect of it. Considerably less expensive than a real diamond, one can purchase an engagement ring of cubic zirconia for merely a fraction of the cost and often times it is a much fancier ring altogether.

There are few features of a cubic zirconia that distinguish it from a real diamond, most of which are only visible under a microscope. The coloring of a diamond is graded on a scale of D to Z, D being completely colorless and Z being more of a yellowish tint. Rare is the real diamond that is completely colorless, most have a tint of brown or yellow, while a CZ can be manufactured to be completely colorless, equivalent to a perfect D on the diamond grading scale. There is much more of a fire, an orange flash, to CZ rings than there is a natural diamond, which flashes orange and blue. Another consideration is that a real diamond almost always has some sort of defect, be it a feather in the diamond or a crystal defect; a CZ is practically flawless. The weight of a CZ versus a real diamond is another key difference. The CZ is much more dense than a real diamond. The hardness of a diamond is much greater than a CZ also, according to the Mohs hardness scale.

Shopping for a Cubic Zirconia Engagement Ring

When shopping around for a cubic zirconia engagement ring, there are a few things to consider. The quality of the stone is a big factor and there are several names one can look for in the way of high end quality. Winfield and Interlap are a high quality, recognizable name to look for. Signity is a less expensive brand of CZ which is more of a standard stone. One can look for a CZ stone that has an amorphous diamond coating. This coating minimizes the windowing and shadowing that often gives the CZ away as being a fake. While one may pay a little more for this coating opposed to a standard stone, in the long run it will be well worth the money spent. 

Cubic zirconia rings come in a wide variety of different cuts, sizes and settings. One should be mindful of the cut of the stone when shopping for a CZ. It is just as important to pay attention to the cut as if you were shopping for a real diamond. When shopping around you should also try to be realistic if you are wanting to pass it off as a real diamond. Depending on one’s own personal finances, the larger the stone, the more likely it will be to tell it is a CZ. One should also pay attention to the setting. Try to choose a setting that you would if it were a real diamond. Precious metals such as 14kt gold, white gold and platinum are good choices for the setting of your new stone and you will not have the worries of it tarnishing or flaking. 

Caring for your new cubic zirconia ring is another important step to recognize and follow. There are products made specifically for CZ rings that can be used to clean them with or you can simply use rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab. If you take good care of your CZ ring as you would a natural diamond that you invested in it will remain sparkly and last you for years to come.

Essentially, a cubic zirconia ring is a much more practical option when shopping for an engagement ring if you do not have the financial ability to invest in a real diamond. The cost of the ring alone is enough to sway most people into purchasing one opposed to a real diamond, and if treated with the proper care, your investment will last you for as long as you allow it to.