How Do You Tell If A Diamond Is A Real Or Cubic Zirconia?

Diamonds and cubic zirconia may look identical from afar, but the two stones couldn't be more different in terms of their beauty, quality, and worth. If you want an engagement ring that will turn heads and endure forever, skip the cubic zirconia and go straight for the genuine deal with a diamond. 

Diamond rings are significantly superior to cubic zirconia rings, despite the fact that the former can be found for much less money. Get in touch with us for a free search and professional guidance aimed at locating a high-quality diamond at an amazing price within your budget.

Cubic zirconia and diamonds may look similar, but there are substantial differences between the two in terms of physical structure, beauty, and value. Be well-versed in the distinctions before settling on an engagement ring or other piece of fine jewellery. In this article, we'll show you how cubic zirconia stacks up against diamonds in terms of price, sparkle, and longevity.

Knowledge of the diamond's certification by one of the three most prestigious organisations (GIA, AGS, or IGI) is also crucial. Choose Temple and Grace, a renowned diamond wholesaler and engagement ring maker in Brisbane.

Some argue that it takes an expert to distinguish between cubic zirconia and a genuine diamond, but is this actually the case? There are numerous indicators that help determine the type of stone you're looking at.

What Is Cubic Zirconia? 

Cubic zirconia is a man made gemstone with a diamond-like appearance and a far lower price tag. Zirconium dioxide is the synthetic material used to create cubic zirconia. CZs might seem a lot like diamonds, but their mineral structures are quite different. While some naturally occuring cubic zirconias do exist, the vast majority of these stones used in jewellery are lab-created. Synthetic diamonds, like cubic zirconias, are laboratory-created but lack cubic zirconias' carbon backbone.

Is Cubic Zirconia Genuine?

Although it looks and feels like a diamond, cubic zirconia is not a diamond. It's true that cubic zirconia isn't the only option when looking for a stone to use as a diamond alternative, but it's the most common and realistic.

Cubic zirconia, a synthetic substance often used as a diamond imitation, is not as hard as the genuine thing. Cubic zirconia is rated at an 8.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, while diamond is rated at a 10. In addition, unlike diamonds, cubic zirconia rapidly cracks and burns when subjected to high temperatures.

How Is Cubic Zirconia Made?

Zirconium oxide powder is melted with stabilisers like magnesium and calcium at 4,982 degrees Fahrenheit to create cubic zirconia. Crystals form and stabilise after being removed from hours of heat. Cut and polished crystals are the next steps. The process of creating cubic zirconia varies from laboratory to laboratory.

Diamond shapes that are easily replicated by cubic zirconia include the cushion cut and the oval cut. Cubic zirconia also comes in a variety of colours.

How Cubic Zirconia Is Different From Diamond

Compare and contrast cubic zirconia with a diamond in terms of their most striking differences.

No Inclusions

A major distinction between cubic zirconia and diamond is that the former is nearly flawless while the latter is not. Cubic zirconia does not contain any natural elements because it is man-made.

Hence, if you examine such a stone carefully and don't find any internal flaws like black spots, lines, or other faults, it's probably not a diamond.

Colourless But Fiery

Cubic zirconia is completely transparent and has no inherent colours. Its hue is identical to that of the finest-quality diamonds.

Consequently, there is no need to be concerned about any yellow undertones in cubic zirconia. Cubic zirconia is colourless, but it has a striking iridescence.

Cubic zirconia can be easily distinguished from diamonds by their lack of a "flash" when illuminated. Cubic zirconia sparkles in every colour of the rainbow, making it an excellent alternative to diamonds.

Smooth Edges

If you examine a diamond carefully, you'll see that its facets have extraordinarily pointed corners. A cubic zirconia stone's facets, on the other hand, are softer and more rounded.

But you'll need a loupe, preferably one with 10x magnification, to see this distinction between the stones.

Heavier Than Diamond

Diamond is lighter than cubic zirconia. If you have two stones of roughly the same size, one of them is likely to be cubic zirconia. A diamond weighs significantly more than cubic zirconia (about twice as heavy).

Cheap Settings

Since cubic zirconia is so inexpensive, it is frequently mounted in less expensive settings. Gold-plated and gold-filled jewellery, for instance, often features cubic zirconia instead of real gold.

The purity of any gold alloy used to set cubic zirconia is unlikely to be higher than ten karats.

Prone To Scratching

Cubic zirconia is also notable for being a less durable alternative to diamonds. Cubic zirconia wears down faster than other stones due to its susceptibility to scratching.

Take extra caution when handling this stone because it is more fragile than a diamond and can easily be chipped.

Heat Insulator

Cubic zirconia outperforms diamond as a thermal insulator.

Diamond's superior thermal conductivity means that exhaled breath won't leave any lingering fog behind.

If you do the same thing with cubic zirconia, you'll notice that it stays cloudy for a lot longer than a diamond would.

How To Quick Identify Diamonds And Cubic Zirconia?

Diamonds, when viewed in natural light, emit a brilliant white light known as "fire" or "brilliance." Cubic zirconia, on the other hand, has a lower refractive index and larger dispersion than diamonds. Therefore it emits a considerably wider spectrum of colours (the "rainbow effect").

Cubic zirconia is also distinct from diamonds in that it is heavier and, of course, far more affordable. Why is that?

Diamonds Vs Cubic Zirconia

Cubic zirconia is a lot less expensive than diamonds. Consequently, cubic zirconia may be a cost-effective option for those seeking a specific setting, style, or ring. When compared to diamond orders, cubic zirconia orders often have substantially shorter wait times.

Cubic zirconia has a Mohs hardness grade of 8.5, making it quite sturdy but still softer than a diamond. Cubic zirconia, on the other hand, is immaculate by design because it is manufactured in a lab. In contrast, flawless diamonds are exceptionally rare.

Diamonds are your best pick if you're looking for a stone with sparkle. Because of its much lower refractive index, cubic zirconia does not reflect light the same way a diamond does, making it appear duller.

While every gem has its advantages and disadvantages, diamonds are usually nearly the go-to for engagement rings. A diamond, whether natural or synthetic, has a Mohs hardness rating of 10, making it extremely long-lasting and ideal for everyday use. In addition, there are no undertones of yellow or grey present in the hue. There is no alternative to diamonds that can compare to them in terms of brilliance and fire.

A diamond's price and worth will always be higher than those of any other gemstone. A diamond engagement ring will last a lifetime and shine brightly, making it a pleasure to show off.

Value Of Cubic Zirconia Vs. Diamond

Cubic zirconia is a lot less expensive than diamonds. A 1-carat round-cut cubic zirconia ring costs $13.99, but a well-cut 1-carat diamond ring of the same shape and size costs $3,630. The price difference between a 1.4-carat Princess Cut diamond ring and a 1.5-carat Princess Cut cubic zirconia ring that is of Excellent Clarity, Cut, and Color is $9,815. The discrepancy in cost widens with each additional carat's weight. For comparison, a ring with three carats of cubic zirconia may go for $190, whereas the going rate for a ring with three carats of diamonds of comparable Cut, Clarity, and Color is $25,185.

In terms of monetary worth, cubic zirconia is worthless. It's possible that the setting of a cubic zirconia engagement ring might be resold separately from the stone. Like other diamond imitations, the cubic zirconia gem has no commercial value.

But, we tell our readers up front that a diamond isn't an investment, so there is some market value retention. Diamonds, unlike cubic zirconia, can be kept and passed down through the family. Diamonds have long been symbols of status since they are rare, beautiful gemstones that never go out of style. In general, the 4 Cs are what determine a diamond's worth and price (Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat). The stone's beauty and brilliance come from the interplay of these factors.

Diamonds and cubic zirconia are two of the most valuable gemstones, but it's important to remember that their prices reflect their vastly different physical properties, quality, and beauty. In this scenario, a lower price does not necessarily indicate a better value.

Beauty And Brilliance Of Cubic Zirconia Vs. Diamond

A diamond's Cut determines how much light is reflected through its table and into your eyes, making it the single most important factor in determining the diamond's attractiveness. Brilliance refers to the reflection of white light, while fire refers to the reflection of coloured light.

There is no real sparkle or fire in cubic zirconia. Its refractive index is between 2.15 to 2.18, significantly lower than that of a diamond at 2.42. Cubic zirconia is unique in how it transmits light, reflecting almost none of it back to the observer. The huge contrast in how much light is reflected by the two jewels is immediately apparent when you hold them up to the light. This beautiful 0.8-carat diamond ring, for instance, will shine brighter than any cubic zirconia, no matter how large it is.

The dispersion rate of cubic zirconia is also greater (0.058-0.066 compared to 0.044 for diamonds). The "rainbow effect," in which too much of one colour is reflected, is caused by the CZ stone's increased dispersion. Due to its excessive light scattering, this diamond is obviously artificial.

Cubic zirconia has a lower refractive index than diamonds (between 2.417 and 2.419) at just about 2.15 to 2.18. Because light returns to your eyes from within a diamond at a faster rate, diamonds have a higher refractive index. A diamond's value is not determined by its refractive index. The difference in refractive index between cubic zirconia and diamonds is not a deal breaker.

Ultimately, a diamond's unmatched brilliance and beauty leaves cubic zirconia in the dust.

Durability And Density Of Cubic Zirconia Vs. Diamond

On the Mohs scale, which measures hardness, diamonds are the only natural substance that can achieve a perfect 10. Diamonds are so tough and long-lasting that they are perfect for use in engagement rings and as everyday jewellery. Diamonds retain their lustre and brilliance with little care on your part.

On the other hand, the Mohs scale of hardness places cubic zirconia at a value of 8.5. It is synthetic; thus, it has a certain amount of longevity. It can be used in jewellery, but unlike a diamond, it won't last forever. Cubic zirconia, for instance, develops scratches and cloudiness with use.

When compared to diamonds, cubic zirconia is actually slightly denser. A jeweller or gemologist need only use their scale to tell a CZ stone apart from a diamond. This 1-carat diamond ring may look a little bigger than 1-carat cubic zirconia because of the different shapes the two stones have.

Cubic zirconia has the same cutting and scratching abilities as a diamond. This is why it is not a reliable way to determine whether or not the stone is indeed a diamond to scrape it against a glass surface. True diamonds and imitations both have the ability to scratch the surface. This was once considered a reliable way of testing. However, it has since been disproven.

Clarity And Color Of Cubic Zirconia Vs. Diamond

Cubic zirconia is made in a lab; therefore, it doesn't have the same flaws that occur naturally in diamonds. A perfect diamond is an extremely valuable rarity for this reason. Cubic zirconia may be beautiful in the eyes of some, but it is sometimes criticised for looking too perfect.

Finding a diamond that is "eye clean," in which flaws and imperfections are invisible to the human eye, is highly recommended. This usually entails selecting a stone with a Clarity rating of VS1 or VS2, depending on the Carat weight. You may go with a higher Clarity grade, but you'll be paying extra for an invisible improvement. This VS2 Cushion Cut diamond is eye-clean, meaning it has few inclusions visible to the human eye.

How Do You Determine If A Diamond Is Real?

A diamond's authenticity can be checked in a number of different ways. The only way to be sure is to have it tested by a qualified jeweller or gemologist using industry-standard equipment. Nevertheless, you can use a few simple techniques right at home to get a pretty reasonable estimate. Diamonds are so much harder than other materials that they may actually scratch the surfaces they rub against. Examine the stone's facets closely with a microscope or magnifying glass; if the edges look soft, abraded, or worn down, the stone is probably not diamond. The facets of a diamond will typically have an appearance of extreme sharpness and precision. Take note of the hue of the reflected and refracted light as it passes through the stone. The diamond's underside will radiate every colour of the rainbow if you turn it and a CZ upside down together.

CZs, on the other hand, tend to only emit orange and blue flashes. This is because the refractive index of diamonds and cubic zirconias are different. In addition, diamonds are superior to most other stones in terms of thermal conductivity. Since cubic zirconia is more insulating, it will cause your hand to warm up more quickly.

What Diamonds Are All About

To begin, it's important to know that there are two primary sources for diamonds: mined and laboratory-created. Most people have their minds set on mined diamonds when they think of diamonds. They are snatched right from the ground. But let's get into the nitty-gritty. Without getting too technical, the mantle is a layer beneath the Earth's crust. We're talking about a depth of nearly a hundred miles below the surface for this section. This is where diamonds begin to take shape.

Volcanic eruptions provide a high enough pressure to get them close to Earth's surface. Diamond mines, also known as kimberlite or lamproite pipes, are formed during these eruptions. One of their unique qualities is that they are composed of single-atom carbon. Diamonds are so tough because of the way the carbon in them is arranged. Graphite, another form of carbon, is notable for its pliability. The arrangement of atoms is what sets diamonds apart from graphite.

If you've ever heard that diamonds (or cubic zirconia) are actually made from coal, know that it's a complete fabrication.

At any rate, those are the essentials of the mined diamond.

What about the diamond made in a lab? You may recall that we discussed volcanic eruptions. 

They are responsible for bringing diamonds to the surface from deep within the Earth. Very high temperatures and pressure are present during volcanic eruptions. We don't see how humans could ever tame those kinds of forces.

In the 20th century, researchers succeeded in doing so. Man-made diamonds serve this purpose. In the 1950s, scientists from the United States and Sweden figured out how to create diamonds in a lab using carbon and molten iron. These weren't even decent enough to use as accents in a cheap ring or as temporary necklace pendants. They arrived at that conclusion, though, eventually. Most inexpensive diamonds available today were manufactured artificially. However, this doesn't mean that cubic zirconia is made out of natural elements like diamonds.

They are helped by technology.

The Value Of Diamonds

To start, there are a few reasons based on science. The hardness of gemstones is ranked on the Mohs scale. Diamonds are the hardest natural material, earning a perfect score of 10. They are known for their remarkable sheen and their uncanny ability to cut glass, both of which seem to defy explanation. Their ability to reflect light is astounding.

Diamonds have become a symbol of indestructibility and immortality due to their extreme hardness and longevity. DeBeers, a South African diamond cartel, benefited from an advertising campaign using the catchphrase "Diamonds are Forever" to increase their popularity.

This sparked the widely held belief that only a man who is truly committed would acquire a diamond as an engagement ring. His devotion clearly wasn't strong enough to warrant the purchase of a diamond.

As a result, the stereotype developed that women who were more desirable husband material purchased diamonds of greater cost and size. Diamonds are the norm for engagement rings, even if a given woman has no particular desire for or opinion on the size of her diamond.

In turn, this has cemented the perception of diamonds as not just a beautiful but also a culturally meaningful commodity.

Conclusion

Cubic zirconia, a synthetic gemstone that looks like diamonds, costs far less. Compared to diamond, it scores 8.5 on the Mohs scale. Cubic zirconia is manufactured and rarely has defects. Its dazzling iridescence reflects all colours despite its colourlessness and transparency. As a result, it can be used in cheaper jewellery than diamonds.

It wears out far faster than diamonds. Diamonds' brilliant white light is called fire. Due to its lower refractive index and larger dispersion, cubic zirconia reflects more colours than diamonds (the "rainbow effect"). Also, because it's heavier and cheaper, it's more practical for setting, style, and ring shoppers. Engagement rings use diamonds because they have a Mohs hardness of 10 and no yellow or grey undertones.

Both diamonds and cubic zirconia are valuable gemstones, but their market values vary due to their physical attributes, quality, and beauty. The 4Cs determine a diamond's value: This stunning stone has superb cut, colour, clarity, and carat. Because it controls how much light is reflected through the diamond's table and into your eyes, a diamond's cut is its most important feature. CZ is better than diamonds since it reflects almost no light. The rainbow effect comes from CZ stone dispersion.

Content Summary

• Diamonds and cubic zirconia may look identical from afar, but the two stones couldn't be more different in terms of their beauty, quality, and worth.
• If you want an engagement ring that will turn heads and endure forever, skip the cubic zirconia and go straight for the genuine deal with a diamond.
• Cubic zirconia and diamonds may look similar, but there are substantial differences between the two in terms of physical structure, beauty, and value.
• Be well-versed in the distinctions before settling on an engagement ring or other fine jewellery.
• Numerous indicators help determine the type of stone you're looking at.
• Although it looks and feels like a diamond, cubic zirconia is not a diamond.
• Indeed, cubic zirconia isn't the only option when looking for a stone to use as a diamond alternative, but it's the most common and realistic.
• Compare cubic zirconia with a diamond in terms of their most striking differences.
• A major distinction between cubic zirconia and diamond is that the former is nearly flawless while the latter is not.
• On the other hand, a cubic zirconia stone's facets are softer and more rounded.
• On the other hand, Cubic zirconia has a lower refractive index and larger dispersion than diamonds.
• Cubic zirconia is also distinct from diamonds in that it is heavier and far more affordable.
• Cubic zirconia is a lot less expensive than diamonds.
• Diamonds are your best pick if you're looking for a stone with sparkle.
• While every gem has advantages and disadvantages, diamonds are usually nearly the go-to for engagement rings.
• No alternative to diamonds can compare to them in brilliance and fire.
• A diamond's price and worth will always be higher than any other gemstone.
• A diamond engagement ring will last a lifetime and shine brightly, making it a pleasure to show off.
• A 1-carat round-cut cubic zirconia ring costs $13.99, but a well-cut 1-carat diamond ring of the same shape and size costs $3,630.
• The setting of a cubic zirconia engagement ring might be resold separately from the stone.
• Like other diamond imitations, the cubic zirconia gem has no commercial value.
• But, we tell our readers up front that a diamond isn't an investment, so there is some market value retention.
• In general, the 4 Cs are what determine a diamond's worth and price (Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat).
• Diamonds and cubic zirconia are two of the most valuable gemstones, but it's important to remember that their prices reflect their vastly different physical properties, quality, and beauty.
• Ultimately, a diamond's unmatched brilliance and beauty leaves cubic zirconia in the dust.
• Diamonds are so tough and long-lasting that they are perfect for use in engagement rings and as everyday jewellery.
• On the other hand, the Mohs scale of hardness places cubic zirconia at a value of 8.5.
• When compared to diamonds, cubic zirconia is slightly denser.
• Cubic zirconia has the same cutting and scratching abilities as a diamond.
• Cubic zirconia is made in a lab; therefore, it doesn't have the same flaws that occur naturally in diamonds.
• A perfect diamond is an extremely valuable rarity for this reason.
• Finding a diamond that is "eye clean," in which flaws and imperfections are invisible to the human eye, is highly recommended.
• Examine the stone's facets closely with a microscope or magnifying glass; if the edges look soft, abraded, or worn down, the stone is probably not diamond.
• The facets of a diamond will typically have an appearance of extreme sharpness and precision.
• Volcanic eruptions provide a high enough pressure to get them close to Earth's surface.
• If you've ever heard that diamonds (or cubic zirconia) are made from coal, know that it's a complete fabrication.
• Most inexpensive diamonds available today were manufactured artificially.
• However, this doesn't mean that cubic zirconia is made of natural elements like diamonds.
• Diamonds are the hardest natural material, earning a perfect score of 10.
• Diamonds have become a symbol of indestructibility and immortality due to their extreme hardness and longevity.
• This sparked the widely held belief that only a truly committed man would acquire a diamond as an engagement ring.
• Diamonds are the norm for engagement rings, even if a given woman has no particular desire for or opinion on the size of her diamond.
• In turn, this has cemented the perception of diamonds as a beautiful and culturally meaningful commodity.