| Cubic zirconias are synthetic gemstones created | | | | cubic zirconias. Because these gemstones are |
| in a laboratory. Cubic zirconia engagement rings | | | | made by man, they can actually outdo nature and |
| are somewhat less sparkly than diamond | | | | provide you flawlessness when it comes to those |
| engagement rings but project more rays of color. | | | | all important Cs. They are almost as hard as |
| While diamonds typically have flaws and impurities, | | | | diamonds. Diamonds rate as a 10 on the Mohr's |
| cubic zirconias are typically flawless. CZs are | | | | hardness scale whereby diamoniques come in at |
| approximately 70% heavier than diamonds but | | | | an 8.5 |
| are also softer and more brittle. Like diamonds, | | | | The rings are set in an array of precious metals |
| CZs come in a variety of colors. This happens | | | | including silver, yellow and white gold and platinum. |
| when oxides such as titanium, iron, nickel, etc. are | | | | You can basically get any shape diamond you |
| added during the CZ synthesis process. | | | | want from traditional round to vintage asscher |
| Cubic zirconia production took of in the 70's, with | | | | cut. The rings cost anywhere from around $25 to |
| advancements in the process of growing the | | | | $350. |
| crystals in the laboratory. CZ became a household | | | | Those clucking hens in the office will be oohing |
| name when Swarovski & Co. began | | | | and aahing over your diamonique engagement |
| producing these beauties for mass consumption. | | | | ring, having no idea that the 2 carat zinger costs |
| The average joe could not distinguish | | | | under 350 bucks or less You could buy 5 |
| well-designed cubic zirconia engagement rings | | | | diamonique rings and still have spent much less |
| from authentic diamond engagment rings. It takes | | | | than on the cost of a real diamond engagement |
| a well-trained eye and/or a microscope and | | | | ring. You will laugh your head off all the way to |
| additional fancy tools to differentiate quality czs | | | | the bank. |
| from the ice. Perhaps this combined with the price | | | | QVC offers these bad-boys in an array of |
| explains why cubic zirconias continue to rule the | | | | rainbow colors. You could get a pink J-Lo |
| diamond simulant market. | | | | diamonique ring or a canary yellow Paris Hilton |
| A cubic zirconia ring may be appropriate for | | | | diamonique ring. |
| couples who do not feel as though they have the | | | | Moissanite Engagement Rings gained popularity in |
| money for an authentic diamond engagement ring | | | | the mid-90s with the invention of a lab process to |
| but want to get married nonetheless. In addition, | | | | grow the crystals. Moissanite is actually a naturally |
| some couples may be able to afford an authentic | | | | occuring mineral although it is extremely rare and |
| diamond engagement ring, but prefer to spend | | | | small in size......hence, making lab-grown moissanite |
| money elsewhere and hence, a cubic zirconia will | | | | more appropriate for most jewelry pieces. |
| do just fine. One option for couples on a tight | | | | Moissanite is almost as hard as diamonds and is |
| budget is to mix in cubic zirconias with real stones | | | | often as brilliant if not more so. Moissanie can be |
| and precious metals. For example, the ring metal | | | | made into a number of shapes and put in a |
| could be white gold, the center stone could be a | | | | variety of settings. However unlike diamonds, |
| cubic zirconia, and the side stones could be small | | | | moissanite often may reflect faint color hues of |
| rubies. | | | | yellow, green or gray, under certain lighting. In |
| If you are going to go the CZ route, it is best to | | | | addition, Moissanite is not graded in carat weight |
| discuss this with your woman in advance. By all | | | | but a comparable diamond carat value is usually |
| means, do not try to pass off a CZ as a real | | | | given to allow the buyer to make useful |
| diamond to your potential spouse!!!!! If you do this, | | | | comparisons |
| I have serious concerns for your safety! God | | | | Many experienced jewelers can mistake a |
| forbid, she tries to get it insured or has it | | | | high-quaility moissanite for a diamond and |
| independently appraised years later and finds out | | | | sometimes lab instruments must be used to aid in |
| the truth.....you will probably need to go into hiding. | | | | this determination. |
| And above all.....you don't want to start out your | | | | Moissanite can be fairly difficult to grow in the |
| lives together based on a lie!! | | | | laboratory, and high-quality moissanite can be |
| Diamonique engagement rings sound exotic and | | | | more expensive than low-quality diamonds and |
| mysterious.... in actually, they are a registered | | | | are almost always more expensive than cubic |
| trademark belonging to QVC. Diamoniques are | | | | zirconias. In general, Moissanite stones cost about |
| really synthetic gemstones otherwise known as | | | | 1/8 of what diamonds cost. |