When zirconium oxide is found in the form of cubic crystalline it is known as cubic zirconia. It is generally colourless, hard and in the optically flawless form. It can come in the variety of colours. However, people get confused in zircon and zirconium. Zircon is made of zirconium silicate. Since formulated in 1976 Cubic Zirconia gives a strong competition to diamonds. It is a synthetic element which is very important in economically terms. Synthetic moissanite is the latest cultivated material giving a solid competition to this metal.

This synthetic metal has a very high melting point of 2750C.Earlier there is no crucible available that can hold this metal in the molten state.  However, later the stabilization of this metal was realised and a new product that is stabilized zirconia was made in 1930. This synthetic material was used in the form of polycrystalline ceramic.  Even there is a natural counterpart of this metal, which is found in metamict zircon. Later people realised that cubic zirconia can also be used in different sort of jewelleries. 

As the metal is generally known as diamond’s lookalike, it is used at places in the place of diamond. It is used in jewellery in the place of diamond and since is cheaper in rate hence it is used at a large level. You can identify the difference between an actual diamond ring and cubic zirconia rings by observing the shine that is reflected by the two.  Cubic zirconia always has less brilliance than diamond. Hence when you would go through artificial cz jewellery, you can simply come to know about it. However, later scientists have also come up with the new uses of this metal in lasers and other sort of optical applications. 

You can find a variety of colours in cubic zirconia. You just have to name and various colours of these stones are ready to adorn you.  From yellow, orange, red, green with purple, pink, golden brown, all colours are available in this synthetic metal. To achieve these colours, various metal oxides are added to this metal. These metal oxides can be cerium, chromium, erbium, neodymium and titanium. Apart from these colours, this metal also undergoes various processes to add lustre and hardness like diamond before embedding it in a jewellery piece.  After going through all the process this metal is cut down into gemstones and is ready to serve the jeweller market. 

Posted by diana, I’m writing a jewelry guide blog, there are many articles and pitures about Rings and earrings, especially cubic zirconia rings, clip earrings, CZ rings

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There is not doubt about the value of a diamond jewelry. Over the centuries, man are trying to create the perfect synthetic diamond, something that will look like a diamond jewelry on the naked eye.

As early as 1893, there are already attempts in creating substitutes to diamonds. The first attempt to make a man made diamond was done by Frederic Henri Moissan which involved heating charcoal and adding pressure that caused changes from the graphite into a diamond.   But it was 1979 when mass production of diamond imitations became possible.  

De Beers was the first to coin the term, “ A Diamond is Forever” during the 1940s.   With this kind of advertising, diamond became the usual stone for engagement rings.  Before, during 1930s, engagement rings would usually have opals, rubies and sapphires for their stone.  The value of diamonds started to increase, so was the attempts to create a perfect synthetic diamond.

By 1955, General Electric produced small artificial diamonds which where of the same quality as industrial diamonds.  Synthetic diamonds were created by exposing carbon dioxide to heat over a metal surface.  The heat was created or generated by several lasers. Today, they are mass produced with production reaching as much as 100 tons every year.

Here are some lists of diamond imitating stones:  

• Rock crystals or rhinestones are crystallized quartz which can look like a diamond, however, they could get easily scratched.  

• Zircon is another kind of stone which could pose as a diamond.  By exposing the stone to heat, it could turn colorless making it look like quartz and diamond.  Just like rhinestones they could get easily scratched.  
• Cubic zirconia is called the grandfather of artificial diamonds.  As a diamond copy, it is synonymous with low-cot jewelry and not as a decent fashion accessory.  

• Russian diamonds are also cubic zirconia stones.  The difference is that they are of high quality and can cause about $280 per carat.  These stones are usually mounted in metal settings that are worth real stones.

• Moissanite is another kind of stone which is created or made inside the laboratory.  Just like a diamond, it is a hard kind of stone.  Although they are relatively more affordable than diamonds, they are still expensive.  Moissanite tends to give a greenish shade in natural light and may sparkle too much because its light reflection characteristics. These characteristics make it easier for some expert to differentiate a moissanite from a real diamond.

• Another best imitation of the diamond would be from the Diamond Nexus.  The Nexus and the real diamond’s characteristics are so close together.  The Diamond Nexus could cut glass due to its hardness and sparkle and can be just as brilliant as the real diamond.  Because they are just being introduced in the market, they considerably cost lower.

• Gemisis cultured diamond is another diamond copy.  The difference with the real diamond is that they cannot be made into a clear and white color.  

• Other synthetic diamonds would be strontium titanate, artificial rutile and spinel.  

There’s quite a number of synthetic or man made diamonds available.  Buying them is not illegal, but if the jeweller is trying to sell of man-made diamonds as real diamonds, then there will be a problem.  Which is why when buying diamond jewelry always ask for certification. If you would like to buy a nice present for a loved one but would like to stay within budget, then buying man-made diamond jewelry is not a bad idea.

Get more complete tips on choosing diamond jewelry, visit: www.diamondjewelry.getmytips.com

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