Can you tell the difference between a real diamond and a piece of CZ jewelry? Most people have no clue about the differences in each that make them unique. What makes the CZ so popular? Gemologists are in agreement that of all the gemstones in the world, the Cubic Zirconia is the closest to being like the diamond than any other. Even the professionals can not tell the difference between the stones in CZ jewelry and diamond jewelry just by looking at them. It takes training and special equipment to see which is which. When brought to close inspection, the CZ jewelry has a lower amount of brilliance to it and more color flashes.
History Of The CZ
Cubic Zirconia stones were created by Russians for use in their space program where diamonds had previously been the choice for adding to lasers for optics. A Cubic Zirconia stone has an index of refractive light, hardness, and light dispersion that is so very similar to a diamond. What are the features that help one tell the difference between a diamond and a piece of CZ jewelry? Get out your special microscope and unique jewelers loupe to find out the real test to see.
Stone Hardness
The first thing to consider is the hardness of the stones. A cubic zirconia stone has a hardness number of about 9 on the hardness scale created by MOH. A diamond rates a ten on the same scale as the hardest stone found today. Pretty close, huh? A piece of glass is only about a 5 as is sand. These materials will not scratch either the diamond or the CZ because their number is lower. CZ jewelry can scratch a piece of glass as if it were a diamond.
Stone Weight
A diamond and CZ used in CZ jewelry are definitely different when it comes to weight. The cubic zirconia is much heavier than a diamond. Cubic zirconia weight is almost 2 points higher of a diamond which measures the same size. A one carat diamond is the same as a two carat CZ and it costs less. Diamonds are almost without flaws whereas a stone used in CZ jewelry has some problem with it. It might be a feather in the stone or an impurity.
Color And Facets
No color in a diamond means it is a rare commodity. Most of them are some shade of yellow. Others lower in grade can be a brown tint. CZ jewelry is almost colorless like a pure diamond would be clueing you in that it is not a precious stone. The facets that contribute to a stones brilliance and color are different in the CZ. Only by the use of a loupe can you tell the shapes are different in a diamond stone. The way they project and break the colors of the light is also different. This light projection and color spectrum is why a CZ has more fire and colors projected than a real diamond stone.
About the Author
Queen Bee Jewelry offers a great selection of CZ Jewelry. Check us out on the web for our entire line of CZ Jewelry and Sterling Silver Jewelry.
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