Cubic zirconia gemstones are one of the most popular gemstones in the world. They are cheap and easy to find, which is why they are often used as an alternative to diamonds. But are cubic zirconia real?
The answer is yes. Cubic zirconia gemstones are made from cubic zirconia, a man-made material that has been chemically synthesized to resemble diamonds, so they are real man-made gemstones. The main difference between cubic zirconia stones and diamonds is that cubic zirconia stones are difficult to identify by sight alone because they look exactly like diamonds when placed side by side.
How to recognize a fake cubic zirconia stone
A cubic zirconia stone is a synthetic gemstone that is often used as a substitute for a diamond. Cubic zirconia stones are less expensive and can be manufactured in different shapes, sizes and colors. There are many ways to identify fake cubic zirconia stones, here are some.
Price
There are many ways to identify fake cubic zirconia stones. One way to tell if a cubic zirconia stone is a fake is to look at the price. Compared to diamonds, cubic zirconia was created in a laboratory, and it is much more affordable than real diamonds. A 1-carat piece of cubic zirconia jewelry costs about $10, but fake cubic zirconia jewelry is less than $5, and they may be made of glass.
Color
Another way to tell if a cubic zirconia stone is a fake is to check the color; real cubic zirconia stones have shades of pink, blue, yellow and green, while fake ones have only one color, or no shade at all.
To observe the bright brilliance that shows cubic zirconia, place the jewelry in the sunlight. Diamonds are great at playing with light, but cubic zirconia enhances the rainbow of hues when exposed to sunlight.
Density and Hardness
Cubic zirconia stones are a popular alternative to real diamonds. They look very similar, except for the examination of their physical properties. The hardness and density of cubic zirconia gemstones will be very different from that of a real diamond.
Even though these gems have some strong similarities, they have very different compositions. The hardest gemstone known to man is the diamond, but cubic zirconia ranks a little lower on the hardness scale.
Final thoughts
Learning how to spot a fake cubic zirconia gemstone is a valuable skill. There are many unscrupulous merchants on the market who pass off cubic zirconia as diamonds for a surprising profit, and distinguishing between a real and a fake gemstone can be difficult. If you are buying a ring online, make sure it is from a trusted jeweler.
