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About Cubic Zirconia Cubic
Zirconia (CZ) is zirconium oxide (ZrO2), a mineral that is extremely rare in nature
but is widely synthesized for use as a diamond simulant. The synthesized material
is hard, optically flawless and usually colorless, but may be made in a variety
of different colors. Because
of its low cost, durability, and close visual likeness to diamond, synthetic cubic
zirconia has remained the most gemologically and economically important diamond
simulant since 1976. Its main competition as a synthetic gemstone is the more
recently cultivated material simulated moissanite. 2.
The Best Diamond Simulant CZ's
place as the most realistic diamond simulant ever produced has made it into one
of the best selling "gemstones". Unfortunately, because it is inexpensive,
many manufacturers have churned it out in cheap, and often nasty looking, jewellery,
usually in 9 carat gold. Most consumers buying a CZ ring have bought it as a diamond
substitute, and believe that it looks like a real diamond ring. A good quality
diamond of reasonable size would never be mounted in 9 carat gold, or even 14
carat. Real diamond rings are invariably mounted in 18 carat gold, sometimes platinum.
To create a ring or other article of jewellery which looks realistically like
diamond jewellery, it is necessary to use a real diamond mount, and to have the
stones properly set, rather than skimp on the quality of the setting work. If
CZ's are mounted in real, high quality, diamond mounts, then they are impossible
to tell apart from diamonds using the naked eye, and without instruments. 3.CZ
is Beautiful we believe
that CZ possesses its own beauty and attraction,and our workshop have designed
and created sundry nude CZ which were intended to exist as a jewel in their own
styles, and not meant to be mistaken for diamond. We still strongly believe that
this is not only a logical and sensible, but also a creative view.also wish it's
a kind of inspiration for a originative jewelry stylist! 4.
Durability CZ is quite
hard, and retains it sparkle and polish well. It should not be allowed to rub
against other gemstones, particularly diamond, because this will cause wear and
scratching. This should be commonsense, and applies equally to all other gemstones.
Wearing two diamond rings next to each other in such a way that the stones can
come into contact with each other will cause wear and damage to both stones. Because
diamond is many times harder than other gemstones, it will inflict greater wear
and damage on other stones. 5.
CZ versus Diamond Cubic
zirconia is so optically close to diamond that only a trained eye can easily differentiate
the two. There are a few key features of CZ which distinguish it from diamond,
some observable only under the microscope or loupe. For example: Dispersion.
With a dispersive power greater than diamond (0.060 vs. 0.044) the more prismatic
fire of CZ can be seen by even an untrained eye. Hardness.
CZ has an 8.5 to 9.0 on the Mohs' hardness scale vs. a rating of 10 for diamonds. Specific
gravity. CZs are heavyweights in comparison to diamonds; a CZ will weigh about
1.7 times more than a diamond of equivalent size. Obviously, this difference is
only useful when examining loose stones. Flaws.
Contemporary production of cubic zirconia is virtually flawless, whereas most
diamonds have some sort of defect, be it a feather, included crystal, or perhaps
a remnant of an original crystal face (e.g. trigons). Refractive
index. CZ has a refractive index of 2.176, compared to a diamond's 2.417. Cut.
Under close inspection with a loupe, the facet shapes of some CZs appear different
from diamonds. In theory,
many gems (such as CZs and diamonds) look best when the star facet, crown main
facets, and upper girdle facets do not quite meet. (Per Step 11 of editor's note
36 to Marcel Tolkowsky's Diamond Design.) Diamond has such a high refractive index
that having these facets meet at a single point does not cause much loss of fire
or reflection. Diamonds normally have these facets meet at a point, because that
is more symmetrical and reflects well on the cutter's precision. On the other
hand, CZ has a considerably lower refractive index than diamond. CZs are often
cut with 6-sided crown main facets, so that the star facets do not touch the upper
girdle facets. This optimizes the brilliance and fire of the CZs. The
optimum angle of the main crown facets is steeper for diamond than for CZ. (According
to Tolkowsky's model of the crown, for a given pavilion angle and girdle thickness).
CZs are often cut so that the crown main facets do not touch the girdle. This
allows the CZs to have a shallower crown angle, while still having the same crown
height as a diamond with a similar cut. Tip:
***Caring for Cubic Zirconia*** Cubic
Zirconia can be cleaned with any conventional jewelry cleaner or detergent. With
such a high hardness and durability, you can use a brush to clean off dirt or
oil also. Ultra clean jewelry cleaners may also be used on CZ and will not damage
the stone. However, when using soap leaving a film that will dull the brilliance
of the stone. Cubic zirconia should be cleaned frequently to remove oils from
skin that also dull the brilliance of the gem.
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