| As a new jewelry retailer, you might be tempted | | | | Also as with diamonds, the skill of the stone |
| to order wholesale loose cubic zirconia stones | | | | cutter makes all the difference. Stone cutters do |
| based on price alone. Unfortunately, extremely | | | | much more than cut. They analyze the stone |
| low prices can sometimes mean low quality as | | | | carefully to determine how much of the stone |
| well. It's important to know what type of loose | | | | should be cut off to give proper clarity. Then, |
| cubic zirconia to look for before buying wholesale. | | | | they take many steps to perfect their cut |
| Understand the grades of quality before you place | | | | without taking away from the stone. |
| an order so you and your customers will be | | | | Though the Brilliant cut is the standard, there are |
| happy with the finished jewelry product. | | | | other popular cuts such as the Trillion, Princess, |
| How Loose Cubic Zirconia Quality is Determined | | | | and Radiant cuts. There are also a variety of |
| There are four main factors that help determine | | | | shapes to give each stone its own unique |
| the quality or grade of cubic zirconia. These are | | | | personality. |
| carat (or carat weight), clarity, color, and cut. CZ | | | | CZ Stone Hardness |
| stones are imitation diamonds or simulants and | | | | Loose cubic zirconia stones are harder than other |
| are measured in carat weight. Loose cubic zirconia | | | | gemstones, but not harder than diamonds, |
| stones are always heavier than real diamonds. | | | | sapphires, rubies, or chrysoberyl. Hardness is |
| This is because the materials that are used to | | | | determined by Mohs' scale of hardness. The |
| create the stones are denser. | | | | highest grade of cubic zirconia is AAAAA, which |
| Though loose cubic zirconia stones are generally | | | | measures 8.5 in hardness on the Mohs' scale. |
| colorless, many shades of colors can be added | | | | Grades of White Cubic Zirconia |
| using trace elements during the manufacturing | | | | White cubic zirconia stones are graded for quality. |
| process. These colors might include lavender, | | | | These resemble genuine diamonds. They are |
| peridot, pink, violet, champagne, aqua, citrine | | | | graded as A, AAA, and AAAAA with cubic |
| yellow, and others. Typically, transparent cubic | | | | zirconia AAAAA being the highest grade. CZ AAA |
| zirconia will be the more valuable, high-end | | | | stones are the most popular among jewelry |
| diamond imitation. Colored CZ stones are valued | | | | stores because they still offer great quality at |
| according to the rarity, evenness, and tone of | | | | affordable prices. Prices range from $22 upwards |
| their colors. | | | | for beautiful jewelry pieces of this grade. |
| Clarity, or clearness, of loose cubic zirconia is also | | | | When buying wholesale for your jewelry store, |
| a quality factor. The manufacturing process can | | | | check out the quality of the loose cubic zirconia |
| sometimes cloud a stone, making visible | | | | stones you are buying. Be sure you are getting |
| imperfections. Just as with genuine diamonds, the | | | | what you pay for and the quality that will please |
| clearer the stone is, the greater the value. | | | | your customers. Whether ordering loose cubic |
| The cut is also very important in determining | | | | zirconia (or lab created gems), simulated stones, |
| quality for loose cubic zirconia stones. Just as with | | | | or synthetic gems, consider the quality of the |
| diamonds, the cut reveals the stone's beauty | | | | jewelry items you are buying and choose only |
| through every facet. The facets must be even | | | | those items that will give lasting enjoyment. |
| and precise to create just the right appearance. | | | | |