| Cubic Zirconia has long been recognized for its | | | | yellow, orange, and red lab created gems. |
| amazing ability to simulate diamonds. In fact, | | | | Of course, many jewelry makers and consumers |
| these lab created gems are more flawless than | | | | prefer the brilliant clear cubic zirconia. Similar to |
| diamonds found in nature, and can be cut to | | | | diamonds, these white CZ stones are graded |
| refract light even more perfectly than real | | | | according to quality. Cubic zirconia AAAAA is the |
| diamonds. For consumers, CZ stones are an | | | | highest quality, followed by CZ AAA and cubic |
| eminently affordable alternative to diamonds. | | | | zirconia A. |
| Because of the simulated stones' popularity, those | | | | Although the way a diamond cutter and polisher |
| who make jewelry - whether earrings, necklaces, | | | | cuts a gem-quality diamond is in large part |
| rings, or pendants - are designing ever more | | | | determined by the imperfections of the rough |
| beautiful settings for the synthetic gems. The low | | | | stone, those who manufacture loose cubic zirconia |
| wholesale cost of loose cubic zirconia allows | | | | don't face the same constraints. For that reason, |
| jewelry designers to create ever more elaborate | | | | the variety of cuts of CZ stones is remarkable, |
| pieces. | | | | as it the beauty and brilliance of the cut stones. |
| In addition to being able to buy loose cubic zirconia | | | | Some cubic zirconia cuts very much resemble |
| at wholesale or below wholesale prices, jewelry | | | | those of diamonds, while others are more unique. |
| makers appreciate the dazzling array of colors | | | | Loose cubic zirconia cuts include oval, round, heart, |
| and cuts that are available for CZ stones. For | | | | octagon, marquise, square, star, pear, and trillion. |
| example, amethyst, violet, and lavender cubic | | | | When it comes to lab created gems, cubic zirconia |
| zirconia are all shades of purple, while aqua and | | | | is only the tip of the iceberg. In addition to |
| tanzanite are gorgeous shades of blue. Citrine and | | | | synthetic diamonds, simulated blue sapphires, |
| champagne are both in the yellow-gold range of | | | | alexandrite, and tanzanite, all made from |
| colors, emerald and peridot are green, and garnet | | | | corundum, are also popular. Likewise, simulated |
| is a deep, rich red color. | | | | stones like coral, emerald, garnet, lapis, and |
| The colors of these synthetic gems are obtained | | | | emerald have gained widespread acceptance |
| by adding an "impurity" to the CZ stones, such as | | | | among both jewelry makers and consumers. |
| a metal oxide. For example, erbium may be | | | | With the exceptional quality of CZ stones, their |
| added to create a pink color, or neodymium might | | | | low wholesale cost, and the incredible selection of |
| be added to create purple. Similarly, chromium can | | | | colors and cuts, it's easy to see why loose cubic |
| be added to make loose cubic zirconia stones | | | | zirconia is often the stone of choice for jewelry |
| green, and cerium may be added to create | | | | designers and consumers alike. |