Cubic Zirconia vs DiamondDifferences between cubic zirconia vs diamond will affect the performance and appearance of CZ rings vs diamond rings, although a high quality hand cut and hand polished cubic zirconia may look very similar to a real diamond. *Table Cubic Zirconia vs Diamond
Hardness of Cubic Zirconia vs Diamond A CZ simulant is not as hard as a real diamond - and a cz gemstone can become scratched and cloudy with time. Because of the difference in hardness, cz rings require a bit more care and attention than diamond rings. Density of Cubic Zirconia vs Diamond The CZ simulant will weigh a little more than a diamond - this added weight is only slightly noticeable between most diamond and cubic zirconia rings. Rings made with large carat cz gemstones compared to diamonds may have more of a perceptible difference in weight. Dispersion and Refractive Index of CZ vs Diamond Dispersion and refractive index properties of a gemstone affect how light passes through and reflects off the gemstone. Dispersion occurs when light passes through a gemstone and is scattered - or dispersed - contributing to the gemstone's 'fire' or sparkle. The refractive index of a gemstone is the angle of light which bends as it enters a gemstone - contributing to the gemstone's 'brilliance.' Each gemstone has a specific refractive index, and gemologists and jewelers can identify CZ from a diamond by measuring the refractive index of the stone with a refractometer. So how do these values contribute to the differences between CZ and a diamond? A cubic zirconia with a higher dispersion - or fire - will sparkle and reflect light more than a diamond. But, cubic zirconia has a lower brilliance - or refractive index - than a diamond, so it does not 'capture' light in the same way that a diamond will. The differences in these values are only slightly perceptible between a quality cubic zirconia simulant and a diamond - and most people cannot tell a difference between the two by sight alone. However, larger carat cubic zirconia stones will flash and sparkle more than a large diamond and as the carat size increases between these two stones the visual differences are a bit more noticeable. Flawless Values in Cubic Zirconia vs Diamond Cubic zirconia simulants are always flawless - but diamonds almost always have some small inclusions within their stones. A completely flawless diamond is extremely rare. Differences between flawless gemstones and slightly included gemstones cannot be seen with the naked eye - a high powered jeweler's loupe is needed to detect these differences. This value is another property jewelers can use to identify cubic zirconia or diamonds in rings. Cost of Cubic Zirconia and Diamonds Cubic zirconia simulants are much more affordable than real diamonds. A one carat hand-cut hand-polished cubic zirconia gemstone will retail for around $20 dollars, whereas a one carat diamond with passable cut, color and clarity values will retail for around $1500 dollars. The difference in price between cubic zirconia and diamonds becomes even more significant with an increase in carat size. A mediocre 2 carat diamond will retail for around $5,000 dollars whereas a 2 carat cubic zirconia simulant will retail for around $30 dollars. The price between fancy colored diamonds and fancy colored cubic zirconia simulants is even greater. A small yellow fancy colored diamond can cost more than $11,000 dollars, but a yellow fancy cubic zirconia is around $20 dollars. To see how cubic zirconia compares to other types of diamond simulants and synthetics, such as moissanite, Nexus and HPHT diamonds visit Man Made Diamonds.
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