There are several possibilities if you're searching for a lab-made stone for your engagement ring. The most common artificial stones include lab-grown diamonds, moissanite, synthetic white sapphires, and zirconia. Another artificial stone to think about if you're on a tight budget and want something conflict-free is cubic zirconia.

What Is Cubic Zirconia?

Cubic zirconia is categorized as a stone that imitates the appearance of natural diamonds but is composed of an alternative material. Zirconia is made of zirconium dioxide, and natural and lab-grown diamonds are composed of carbon. Cubic zirconia is a fantastic substitute for diamonds as diamonds also have a cubic crystalline structure.

Diamond vs. Cubic Zirconia

Although diamonds and cubic zirconia may seem similar, their compositions are very different.

Density and hardness fluctuate.

Although cubic zirconia stones are significantly less complicated than diamonds, diamonds are the most burdensome stone man has ever discovered. This is so because the structure of diamonds is made up of compacted carbon atoms, which give them remarkable hardness and brightness. Various hardness comparisons can be used to identify if a diamond is a diamond or a zirconia. Weighing the gemstone is another way to test for diamonds.

Features and potential shortcomings

Zirconia is made in a lab, free of the natural imperfections found in actual diamonds. This suggests that their clarity is nearly flawless. They could come across as fake because of their almost too-perfect appearance. Inside a diamond are naturally occurring imperfections known as inclusions.

Tiny flaws called inclusions can be found in both lab-grown and natural diamonds. Even though cubic zirconia has no intrinsic flaws, it can show obvious signs of being created in a lab, including tiny gas bubbles that hold the powdered zirconium dioxide used to make it.

Natural diamonds cost more money.

The main factor driving the popularity of cubic zirconia diamonds is their nearly constant lower cost relative to diamonds, even though a diamond's price might vary depending on its size and other attributes. As the carat size increases, the ratio only gets larger. One potential issue is that cubic zirconia has little to no resale value compared to Artificial Diamonds, which can frequently be sold for at least 50% of their initial cost.

Look

Despite the common misperception that a diamond should seem clear throughout, gemologists know that a "white" diamond might have a yellow, gray, or brown tinge. It is most likely that cubic zirconia is colorless.

Light dispersion

A dispersion occurs in a gemstone when white light enters, disperses (or divides), and exits the stone at different angles with colored light. Cubic zirconia has a more significant degree of dispersion than diamonds. Consequently, cubic zirconia will have a brighter glitter than diamonds.

In summary,

Cubic zirconia is a well-liked substitute for diamonds. It looks exactly like a natural diamond and is inexpensive and conflict-free. CZ diamond usually arrives in colorless form and stands as one option for real or natural diamonds. One of its shortcomings is the inability to last long—it will dull and crystallize after a few years of regular use. Ensure that the band is made of sterling silver or stainless steel and is of high quality if you choose a cubic zirconia stone for your engagement ring. Above all, discover something you are passionate about!