| If you're on a budget and want to get the best | | | | varied, unlike the synthetic stone. |
| start in life with your new bride, consider the | | | | The cubic zirconia, CZ, is actually harder than a |
| option of cubic zirconia engagement rings. A cubic | | | | diamond and somewhat more brittle. CZ stones |
| zirconia ring is as dazzling as any other | | | | weigh more than natural diamonds by about 70 |
| engagement ring, yet only costs a fraction of the | | | | percent, so weighing loose stones is one method |
| price, leaving you money for other important | | | | jewelers use to find the identification of the stone. |
| items. Diamond importers started the myth that | | | | Finally, the sparkle is different in a CZ than it is in |
| you needed to use six months salary for the | | | | a diamond. Diamonds have flashes of light and |
| engagement ring. Today, most people realize that | | | | shadows while the zirconia has fire in its reflection. |
| this just isn't necessary or practical and opt for an | | | | Fire is color or rainbows. Some people believe this |
| attractive ring with a stunning zirconia at a | | | | is far more attractive than the sparkle of |
| fraction of that amount. | | | | traditional stones. |
| Cubic zirconia engagement rings made a | | | | One huge advantage of using cubic zirconia |
| comeback recently. The sudden surge in interest | | | | engagement rings is that any style of ring you |
| came because people began to realize the true | | | | desire is now within your budget. Dramatic paved |
| quality and beauty of the cubic zirconia. Early | | | | rings, encrusted with gems encircling the solitary |
| stones lacked the quality of today's gems. The | | | | stone doesn't have to be put aside for another |
| manufacturing technique changed and with the | | | | time when it's affordable, in favor of a small |
| change came a higher quality almost | | | | stone or no stone at all. You can select from any |
| indistinguishable from diamonds to most people. It | | | | style or design you'd like and even select rings far |
| took the public a while to realize the true beauty | | | | more stunning than you ever thought you could |
| the new manufacturing process gave the | | | | afford. |
| zirconium jewelry. | | | | The shapes of the stones vary also. Just like a |
| Manufacturers create cubic zirconia gemstones | | | | diamond, you can find them in round shapes, |
| from zirconium oxide, ZrO2. Newer methods give | | | | square shapes, baguettes or any shape you |
| the stone a higher quality than the predecessors | | | | desire. It all depends on how the manufacturer |
| had. In fact, once the crystal forms into the gem, | | | | cuts the stone, just as it is with diamonds. |
| the manufacturer cuts the CZ gemstone in a | | | | It's no wonder that many people are turning to |
| process similar to cutting diamonds. | | | | this manmade stone for a wedding band and |
| How can you tell the difference between this | | | | engagement ring. Not only is the price far more |
| stone and a real diamond? There are ways | | | | affordable, the styles and designs are unlimited. If |
| jewelers differentiate the natural diamond from | | | | your budget is small, you no longer have to settle |
| the man made cubic zirconia. The first is that the | | | | for a plain Jane band but can afford the stunning |
| zirconia is flawless. Real diamonds have small | | | | quality of a beautiful cubic zirconia ring. |
| imperfections because their growing conditions | | | | |